Jack Flash's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
Help! How do I cut too much nutmeg in an apple pie?
You probably want to post on the home cooking board. My suggestion: a big, honking scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Chowhound Post
Nice Review of Noir by SIV in LA Times Food, Weds. Nov. 25
We dined there midweek a couple of weeks ago, and I just haven't gotten around to posting a review, partly because I feel like such an amateur compared to others here (no photos, I don't take notes, and don't have the patience to write a full-on, all-encompassing review). That said...
I really liked both the food and the wine list. The three of us tried several menu items; all were tasty. We had the shrimp remoulade, charcuterie platter, a cheese platter, fries, lamb chops, foie gras, frisee & cucumber salad, ribeye cap, chocolate terrine, and I think even the bananas foster. And two bottles of wine (Flying Goat and Hitching Post, both Pinot Noir, both Rio Vista vineyard, both 2005). It sounds like a lot of food, and I guess it was, but it took that much food to fill us up. The bill for the 3 of us was well over $300. Now, that did include the two bottles of wine (reasonably priced at around $65 each, for wines that retail over $30).
Our fries were the opposite of limp; in fact, there were few that weren't crunchy. They're thinner than shoestrings; matchstick fries, I guess, which are almost impossible to cook properly (they go from limp to crisp in a couple of seconds), and do not retain any heat once removed from the fryer. A bad choice of cut, really.
The lamb chops were excellent. The rib eye was probably the tastiest tidbit. Service was professional and knowledgeable, except when it came to the cheese plate (the alleged quince paste was really fig loaf. I know the difference; the server didn't).
Oh, and it was packed when we were there. The small space, teeming with happy, wine-consuming patrons can get quite loud. In nicer weather, though, that side patio might just be the place to be in this part of our fair city.
We'll definitely return, but it would be nice if someone else picks up the tab (last time, it was my dad). Having another semi-serious dining option outside of Old Town (let's hear it for free street parking!) is a welcome development, to be sure.
Chowhound Post
Not to be missed at Craft Los Angeles?
The menu changes fairly regularly. The oysters are impeccably fresh (on my last visit, I particularly liked the Kusshi variety). Meats are always high quality and precisely cooked. The spinach & bacon salad is an excellent, grown-up version of the classic. I've had the hamachi a couple of times, and have always been pleased with the presentation.
The current menu offers virtually nothing as far as descriptions go, and it's my sense that the food is slightly less sophisticated than it was when Matt Accarrino was chef de cuisine, but it's still a place that consistently delivers really high quality in both food and service (professional and unobtrusive, a rarity in this town).
Chowhound Post
Thanksgiving Carryout in Pasadena/Foothill communities/NE LA?
I would certainly consider Elements Kitchen in Pasadena. I haven't had their Thanksgiving food, but I bet it would be delicious.
http://elementskitchen.com/specials.htm
Chowhound Post
if you had to eat at the Original Pantry what would you eat?
Ham & cheese omelette. My favorite version of this breakfast classic, in fact.
Chowhound Post
Fresh Key Limes in Los Angeles, where to find 'em?
Not your neck of the woods, but I saw them on Saturday at HOWS market in Pasadena. Really, I think you'll find them at just about any grocery store. In your area, check the closest Gelson's or probably just about any Mexi-Mart.
Chowhound Post
The Best Breakfast Sandwich
Mustard Seed Cafe on Hillhurst. Blows away every other one I've had. Good, thick bacon; avocado (a key element missing from most versions); and an herb mayo set this one apart. Served on an oversized English muffin.
Chowhound Post
best cole slaw?
My grandmother also made great cole slaw. Alas, she too has passed on, but I I actually have her recipe somewhere. Once I dig it up, perhaps I'll put it up on the Home Cooking board. It was a spicy slaw; lots of celery seed was involved. There was mayo, but also sour cream, I think. It was actually very similar to the cole slaw served at the late, lamented (by some) Love's BBQ here in SoCal. If anyone reading this actually has the Love's recipe, I have a hunch that would satisfy your hankering.
I've never found cole slaw anywhere that measures up. The only ones I like are the Pantry and Philippe's. Surprisingly, I found a rather tasty cole slaw dressing in the supermarket. I'll check the bottle at home, but I think the brand was "Lighthouse." Nice & tangy. I added more celery seed to it, and was quite pleased with the result.
Chowhound Post
bob's big boy.
That's where Pappy Parker's fried chicken comes in. That and hopefully a good Bob's vibe. If they get those things right, I think they can carve out their own niche.
Chowhound Post
bob's big boy.
A new Bob's is coming to Pasadena on Del Mar near Lake, in a space that formerly housed a Baja Fresh.
http://www.bobspasadena.com
Chowhound Post
Best lunch spots near Los Angeles Convention Center
Glad to hear that your trip was a success at least from a culinary standpoint; I hope it was a similar story business-wise.
Chowhound Post
Burger and football in Pasadena?
Houston's. Sit at the bar; they'll have the game on, I'm sure, and they have good burgers. The Croc is now called Cafe 140 South (as in, 140 S. Lake, its address). I haven't seen the menu yet. The former Club 41 became Spitfile Saloon, and is now known as the Cheval Blanc. I don't know if they have a burger on the menu. If you like the Smith Bros., though, they serve a burger at Smitty's Grill (also on Lake), and if you sit at the bar, you will be able to see the TV.
Chowhound Post
Best lunch spots near Los Angeles Convention Center
Hmm. The tricky thing about the Convention Center is that there's really NOTHING that's an easy walk. The LA-LIVE mall has some dining options, if you don't mind hanging out in a concrete bunker liberally adorned with garish, flashing advertisements. The Pantry Cafe is walking distance. The real question is how much time you'll have; if you have enough, then you can easily use public transportation (DASH) or a healthy walk to open up additional options.
As for a client dinner, there are lots of choices. Roy's Hawaiian (8th & Figueroa), Chaya Downtown and Drago Centro (both @ 5th & Flower) all fit the bill. There are a couple of steakhouses (The Palm, Arnie Morton's) which lend themselves to client dinners. If seafood is your thing, there's the Water Grill. All of these probably require a cab; they're walkable from the convention center, depending on how much walking you want to do. Only Roy's can be reached in under 20 minutes, I suspect.
Chowhound Post
Favourite lunch spots for Jury Duty downtown (by Disney Concert Hall)
CCB = Criminal Courts Building. Now known as the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, technically, but it's really hard to undo decades of people referring to it as CCB. Its civil counterpart is CCH (Central Court House), now known as the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.
The 90-minute lunches are not exclusive to criminal. The real reason (apart from the logistics issues identified by nosh) is that the courtrooms must be continuously open for the most part. This means that the court staff must also be present in the court room continuously, thereby depriving them of the two 15-minute breaks they are entitled to every 4 hours by labor laws. Thus, the morning and afternoon breaks are rolled into the lunch hour. This allows the courtrooms to be continuously open from 8-12 and then again from 1:30-4:30, while the employees get the same amount of break time as other employees who aren't tied to the courtrooms.
As an employee in one of the aforementioned buildings, I can assure you that you'll have enough time to get a decent lunch nearby. I also just thought of a couple of other options. There's a truck called Bool that parks on Grand Ave. near 3rd, selling Korean-style tacos, burritos & quesadillas. I've never been to Kogi, but I imagine that it's in a similar vein. It's tasty, pretty quick, and certainly different. There are a couple of other trucks on that block of Grand. One is a standard truck, serving up burgers, sandwiches, burritos, etc. It's quite decent. You can get a burger/fries/drink combo that's a heck of a lot better than McDonald's, and cheaper. Another truck called "Baby's Badass Burgers" also appears on the block from time to time. Not bad.
Chowhound Post
Favourite lunch spots for Jury Duty downtown (by Disney Concert Hall)
There are lots of threads on this subject, so you should do a "jury duty" search which may uncover additional options that don't make it into this particular thread. My suggestions always include Philippe's, Mendocino Farms, Grand Central Market. A new addition to the list is a place called Lemonade, which is at MOCA. It's on the lower level, just outside the entrance to the museum proper. It's invisible from the street; you need to know it's there. Kind of an interesting concept (n.b. - it's apparently closed until 11/15) http://www.lemonadela.com/locations/d...
On Wednesdays, there is a farmers' market on 5th street in front of the library. There are a few different food vendors there. On a nice day, a bacon-wrapped hot dog and a horchata, when consumed in the plaza in front of the library, can make for a tasty and pleasant respite. Again, DASH can get you there and back if you don't want to deal with the walk, which includes one short but very steep hill. If you really don't want to venture far, the cafe at the Disney Concert Hall makes decent salads & a daily hot entree. It's a tad pricey, on the surface, but they give a 15% discount when you show your juror badge. You can take it and sit on a bench or a table near the fountain in the plaza between the courthouse and the Hall of Admin.
Don't forget Little Tokyo. There's Daikokuya or Orochan Ramen. Once again, just a scant couple of minutes on the DASH if you don't feel like walking (doable; and once again, one short but steep hill).
Chowhound Post
Favourite lunch spots for Jury Duty downtown (by Disney Concert Hall)
The DASH takes you directly from CCB (and CCH) to within a half-block of Philippe's in about 5 minutes if you're not up for the walk.
Chowhound Post
Roamntic Dinner w/Incredible Food Downtown? LA Prime?
Never been to LA Prime, so I can't comment, but I gather it's basically a steak place. If you want to go all-out on a steak downtown, Arnie Morton's or The Palm are available. Personally, I would advocate either Drago Centro or Chaya Downtown, though not the latter so much because there's an emphasis on seafood (although they have other yummy items on the menu). Drago Centro is really nice, though. Romantic, great wine selection. It's REAL Italian. And it's basically across the street from where you're staying.
Chowhound Post
Late Night in Pasadena Area
Um, yeah, we kinda roll up the streets at 10, so it's difficult. There's the Magnolia lounge on South Lake. Yeah, it's a bar, but they serve some tasty tidbits. Your other option might be taco trucks. There's a pair on Fair Oaks: one is just north of California, on the east side of the street, in the parking lot of an auto repair facility. Another just up the street, in the parking lot of a Goodyear tire shop.
Shaker's in South Pas is open late, I think. Twohey's in Alhambra (both are coffee shops).
Chowhound Post
Need Wonton Soup in Chinatown!
I'm in the mood for a nice bowl of wor wonton soup for lunch in Chinatown. Where should I go?
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Are There ANY Good Italian Delis in the Valley?!
AHA! Yes, that's the one I'm thinking of. I was SURE it was near that Lincoln dealership, on that side street. I have that image in my mind, but sometimes memory plays cruel tricks.
Chowhound Post
Are There ANY Good Italian Delis in the Valley?!
Do you have any idea how long Roma has been there? I grew up in North Hollywood, and I recall once going with my parents to an Italian deli that was either on Vineland or Lankershim...mind you, this was almost 30 years ago. Much more recently, I tried to find it but obviously couldn't remember where it was (I was looking a bit farther south). But now I'm wondering if this is the place, and if it has been there all this time.
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Are There ANY Good Italian Delis in the Valley?!
In Woodland Hills, consider Cricca's Italian Deli.
http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/cr...
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Where to Buy Baby Back Pork Ribs--Pasadena area
My first stop/call would be HOWS market, as that's my default choice for anything meat-related. Just down the street is Howie's Ranch Market. The independent butcher there (I can't recall the name) offers top quality meats as well. Per HOWS weekly flyer, they're $4.99/lb this week, although they're listed as "frozen/defrosted." You could call and ask if they also have fresh.
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In Town For U2 in Pasadena...Breakfast Suggestions?
Novel Cafe serves really good breakfast.
http://www.novelcafe.com
1713 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 683-330
Also: Cafe Verde.
http://www.cafeverdepasadena.com
Chowhound Post
not overpriced mid afternoon food + drinks old town pasadena
I didn't check their hours; I just assumed Vertical wasn't open all day, or at least not open in late afternoon, but if it is, then I would wholeheartedly second the recommendation. It can get pricey depending on what you order for wine, though.
Chowhound Post
not overpriced mid afternoon food + drinks old town pasadena
You should consider Bar Celona. The food (tapas) is really quite good, as is the sangria. They're open all day, too, so you can just kind of wander in at any time, which is nice.
Chowhound Post
Pesto- Pasadenda Porta Via Foods
It is good. I have a container of it in my fridge right now; it's great to use on paninis, tossed with pasta, and I also like to spread it on top of a piece of fish (e.g., halibut) before baking. Yum!
As for how they keep it so bright green, I'm guessing it's the lemon. Oh, and there's some cheese in there (either Pecorino Romano or Reggiano parmesan, I figure), which may also contribute to its lovely hue as well as eliminating any bitterness. I think it's got garlic, too.
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Musso and Franks?
Yes, it's that kind of thing. Almost like the filling of a chicken pot pie, but without the pie crust.
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Musso and Franks?
Steaks & chops. Caesar salad. French fries, the thick ones (not the shoestrings). A martini, whiskey sour or sidecar. Chicken a la king, but only if you like that kind of thing.
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CRAFT LA
The menu changes frequently. It seems that the menu has been a bit simplified since Matt Accarrino was fired, and doesn't sound as interesting, but the food was still well-executed on my last visit in late July. The Berkshire pork loin is a winner among the mains. The kanpachi (first course) is excellent. The spinach & bacon salad is superb; best bacon I've ever had.
