omotosando's Profile
Matcha ... where to buy?
I was not impressed by the matcha I ordered from O-cha.com. I have not tried Ippodo's matcha, but wasn't impressed by the sencha I ordered from them.
Sotto for Dinner - What to Order
Blistered little gems. My favorite salad in all of L.A.
Shakshuka?
I haven't tried it there, but Te-eem Grill (little hole in the wall and closed on Friday nights and Saturday) makes shashuka. Ask them to throw some zhug into the sauce and it should be spicy enough. I always make it with zhug at home.
7422 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 944-0013
Loose Leaf Tea in LA,SGV and OC
Liu, Thanks so much for the link -- I've never seen such a profusion of Assam tea offered. Leaving for a trip, but will pour over this when I return.
Loose Leaf Tea in LA,SGV and OC
The only sencha that I sometimes buy locally is SPIRIT OF OHSAWA ORGANIC GREEN TEA available at Erewhon Market on Beverly Blvd. near Fairfax. American Tea Room in Beverly Hills (which took over the old Palais space) also has some good sencha, although extremely overpriced. http://www.americantearoom.com/jagrtea.html Even though I live in the neighborhood, I have had it shipped because parking is a hassle in Beverly Hills and if you order over a certain dollar amount (which isn't hard with their prices), they will ship free and you will have it the next day.
Other than that, I have been ordering all my sencha lately either from Mariage Freres in Paris (just got a shipment today, Monday, for an order I placed late Thursday night - it will be here from Paris quicker than if you ordered from most U.S. merchants) or from the Green Teaist http://www.thegreenteaist.com/products_pg1.html which has decent sencha. I"ve had less luck re quality ordering directly from Japan. It seems counterinuitive to order Japanese tea from France, but Mariage Freres manages to get their hands on good stuff.
I know sencha and I can tell you there is no way in hell I would walk into Teavana in a mall to buy it. It's like wine -- once you have drunk the great stuff, it's hard to go back to Two Buck Chuck.
Now if I could only find the world's best Assam. Mariage Freres has decent Assam, but I'm not convinced it is the world's best.
Indian home cooked food delivery in Los angeles?
I didn't know such a thing as tiffin services existed in LA. I feel like I died and went to heaven. I love Indian food and I'm allergic to onions and for $3 extra, they will prepare the meal without onions. I am definitely going to order and will report back.
Green tea diet
I can't imagine that anyone could drink more green tea than me. I drink it hot, I drink it cold; I'll whip up some matcha. That being said, in all the years I have drunk copious amounts of green tea, I have never noticed any health benefits from it. It doesn't particularly energize me, doesn't help me concentrate and it certainly has never helped me to lose weight. I just happen to drink the stuff because I love it. Not sure why you want to go on a "green tea diet" or what you hope to gain from it.
Where delicious in/near Beverly Hills (neither foo-foo nor dive) to take visiting foodie friend for dinner?
I like the food at Sotto, but the OP is looking for somewhere (1) pretty, (2) a wonderful atmosphere and (3) where you can hear yourself talk. I think Sotto fails on all three.
Any great Thai / Indian restaurants in the Westside?
So sorry to hear that Tsukiji is closed. Used to love that place.
Any great Thai / Indian restaurants in the Westside?
I went to Thai Boom once based on recommendations on this Board. Eh. I mean you could say it is good compared to Natalee or Tuk Tuk, which are God-awful, but that's not saying much.
Any great Thai / Indian restaurants in the Westside?
I can believe that. I'm sure at their price point, they are not using the highest quality meat and fish, but for instance, when I have ordered the shrimp curry, I really enjoyed it because of the freshness of the herbs and spices.
My only complaint is that sometimes the food has come out a bit lukewarm. Also, the one dish I was disappointed in was the Kerala Special Avial. I don't know if it is because I'm not a huge okra fan or if it was because it was one of the dishes that came out lukewarm. The night everything came out lukewarm they were slammed by a huge Indian tour group, so perhaps that explained the problem.
Any great Thai / Indian restaurants in the Westside?
No, there is no good Thai food on the Westside.
Yes, there is a lot of mediocre Northern Indian food on the Westside. For Indian nowadays, I am really enjoying the Southern Indian food at Mayura on Venice and Motor. http://mayura-indian-restaurant.com/ It's not fancy. It's not the best Indian food I've had, but some of the dishes are really excellent and it's cheap and convenient. It's thronged with South Indian families.
I just had the buffet for lunch today. $12.95 includes the buffet, a free drink (a pretty good mango lassi) and a plain dosa. The buffet today had a killer spicy mango chutney. The dosas are excellent. My favorite thing at Mayura is the appam -- when they are brought out steaming hot (this is not part of the buffet) and dipped into something spicy -- it's as heavenly as anything you might eat at some 4 star restaurant. The one thing I haven't yet had at Mayura and which I want to try is the uttapam - they have a half dozen different ones. I do like the uttapam at Bombay Cafe (I think they only have one variety), but Mayura is just cheaper, easier and more fun. Given all the women in saris and little Indian children running around, it gives me the illusion that I am in India. I don't think I ever recall seeing any customers in saris at Bombay Cafe.
Calling all Weight Watchers!
1. Don't know if they are available in your area, but I'm a big fan of LaTortilla Factory Smart Delicious Tortillas. The small ones are 50 calories and the large ones are 100. High fiber, reduced carbs - fewer calories than 2 pieces of bread for a sandwich. I find a can of tuna, doctored up with some spices and rolled into the big tortilla to be a very filling lunch. In fact, if I wasn't scared of mercury poisoning, I would eat it every day.
2. I love the Weight Watchers peanut butter sundae cups. I find them delicious and filling when I'm craving something sweet. The only other Weight Watchers dessert I tried was the key lime pie, which I did not like.
3. Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? My favorite Trader Joe's low-cal convenience food are the frozen turkey patties. You can pan fry them from frozen with just a little bit of oil. It's just ground turkey and a little seasoning -- no junk in it -- but saves you from the trouble of making your own patties. Very filling. The Trader Joe's frozen salmon patties aren't bad either (I did not like the fresh ones -- too thick and hard to cook up evenly). Anyway, if you have a Trader Joe's and prowl around, I think you will find a lot of reasonably healthy, low-cal semi-convenience foods hidden among the mostly high calorie junk (some of the Trader Joe's prepared meals are in the 600 calorie range or so).
Baking stone, why do you like yours?
I have this Emile Henry pizza stone. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/emile-henry-pizza-stone/?catalogId=19&
I bought it because I thought it would do wonders when cooking up frozen pizzas. I have it on the top shelf in the oven. I don't think it does anything. Perhaps these are only useful when making pizza from scratch?
Perhaps I should just retire the stone to the lower rack to keep the oven temp more stable as one poster says?
Also, I wasn't aware I was supposed to season my stone.
Buying fresh/hot peppers in Orange County?
If you like Thai chiles, for $15.95 inclusive of shipping, you can have a large pack of the best, freshest Thai chiles shipped to your door.
http://importfood.com/fptc0601.html
The quality is impeccable. I put them in an old Tupperware container with a vent left open (the vent is in the Tupperware since it was made for microwaving) and some paper towels to absorb moisture, and they have stayed impeccable for weeks.
These are better quality chiles that I have ever been able to obtain at any supermarket, including Whole Foods, probably because they are much fresher than anything except what you might find at a Farmer's Market (and frankly, I've never found anything this good at a local farmer's market).
These chiles are quite hot. I have a high tolerance for hot foods and usually have to throw at least 3 chiles into a dish to make it hot enough for my taste, but with these babies, one will do.
In past years, I have grown Thai and other hot chiles, but last year's crop was a disaster for some reason, so with this source, I am not even going to bother this year. Rather, I'll leave it to the professionals.
Measuring Spoons - are there any on the market that aren't pure Chinese junk?
I did buy them from Amazon, relying on the good online reviews. I generally prefer Amazon to my local store because my local store is likely to have exactly one set of measuring spoons while Amazon will have a large variety.
I have found some good products that way -- my Zyliss silicone spatula comes to mind, although probably made in China -- but I got burned with the CIA spoons. In general, I prefer not to buy Chinese-made goods, but sometimes you have no choice.
Measuring Spoons - are there any on the market that aren't pure Chinese junk?
"IMO, as long as you pay decent money, even made in China products can be good."
Actually, the CIA spoons that I ordered from Amazon were even more expensive than the ones you recommend, and they are junk.
Hard question: Sushi meal under 30 bucks per person??? Where would you go?
In general, I would agree with you, but I just happen to think that Hama Sushi in Little Tokyo is really good sushi at a relatively low price. And I've eaten $600 per person sushi meals. Obviously, Hama Sushi isn't in that class, but it's good. Maybe their overhead is low in Little Tokyo but the restaurant costs significantly less than other places with sushi that isn't as good.
Measuring Spoons - are there any on the market that aren't pure Chinese junk?
The Pademo spoons look interesting, albeit probably made in China.
Yes,that's what I was afraid of - that it is impossible to buy anything not made in China.
It's really sad - now when I buy any cookware not made in China, I think about whether I should stock up on the rest of the line because probably in a couple of years, whatever I'm buying will be made in China by the lowest bidder. After recently buying a high quality stainless steel mixing bowl in Japan, I immediately went out and bought the next size up as well, with the thought that if I didn't do so, in one or two years, they either wouldn't be manufactured in Japan or, even if they were, would no longer be available for purchase here.
Hard question: Sushi meal under 30 bucks per person??? Where would you go?
Went to Hama Sushi in little Tokyo recently after a long hiatus and it was excellent. And less than $30 a person even with sweet shrimp, fried heads and toro.
Wonderful Thai Chiles-- you can have them shipped
For all those chili-heads out there, I wanted to share my new discovery.
For $15.95 inclusive of shipping, you can have a large pack of the best, freshest Thai chiles shipped to your door.
http://importfood.com/fptc0601.html
The quality is impeccable. I put them in an old Tupperware container with a vent left open (the vent is in the Tupperware since it was made for microwaving) and some paper towels to absorb moisture, and they have stayed impeccable for weeks.
Thai chiles, or any other hot chiles other than habanero, which I don't like, are impossible to find at my local markets. (Sorry, but wimpy jalapenos don't count). I could drive across town to a Thai market, but these chiles are of better quality than I have seen in my local Thai markets.
In past years, I have grown Thai and other hot chiles, but last year's crop was a disaster for some reason, so with this source, I am not even going to bother this year. Rather, I'll leave it to the professionals.
Measuring Spoons - are there any on the market that aren't pure Chinese junk?
I'm guessing the Lee Valley Tools spoons are made in China. They tout that the spoons are "Made to our specifications" -- which to me sounds like code that the lowest bidder in China is churning them out.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=45139&cat=2,40733,47775&ap=1
The Lee Valley ones are 18/8 stainless steel -- I don't know if that is any better or worse than the 18/10 CIA junk I purchased.
The All-Clad have some bad reviews at Williams-Sonoma. One person said they rusted after 6 uses and another person said they were difficult to read when new and got worse over time and were headed for his/her next tag sale.
It appears that the only measuring spoons made in the U.S. are pewter ones. http://www.amazon.com/Beehive-Kitchenware-Pewter-Measuring-Spoons/dp/B004TGEPPW/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1332229391&sr=1-1
I would consider them, but they are just not my aesthetic -- heart-shaped and with a dopey saying on each spoon.
Measuring Spoons - are there any on the market that aren't pure Chinese junk?
I really wish it was possible to buy something not made in China. The CIA spoons I bought are allegedly 18/10 stainless steel and are the most expensive on the market that I was able to find at the time.
I just don't trust anything Chinese, unfortunately.
I recently bought an expensive Japanese stainless steel mixing bowl and it was worth every penny because it is truly high quality and I will have it for life. I wish I could find similar measuring spoons.
Measuring Spoons - are there any on the market that aren't pure Chinese junk?
So based on all the good reviews at Amazon, I purchased the CIA Masters Collection Measuring Spoon Set http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HV9HHY/ref=oh_o05_s00_i06_details
It turns out that they are your usual Chinese junk. Very flimsy -- so flimsy that the metal easily bends when you stick the spoon into a spice jar -- and with noticeable imperfections on the metal (i.e., the metal isn't completely smooth, making them hard to clean).
I'm beginning to despair about the possibility of obtaining decent quality small kitchen accessories - everything seems to come from China and be pure junk. Let's just hope there is nothing toxic in these spoons.
Mayura on Venice Blvd - Great inexpensive Indian food
Just tried Mayura on Venice Blvd. in Culver City. It's in a mini-mall on the southwest corner of Venice Blvd. and Motor.
The owners are from Kerala in Southern India, so while they do have the usual Punjabi Northern Indian dishes that most Americans associate with Indian food (chicken tikka anyone?), they really specialize in less ubiquitous Southern Indian cuisine.
We ordered the combo special of Kerala fish curry with appam, a shrimp curry and rice.
We asked for the fish curry spicy and they asked us so many time if we were sure, stressing that it was extremely spicy, that I was afraid they going to dumb it down. But they didn't -- it was appropriately spicy for people who like spicy food (the owners came over a few times to marvel that we didn't find it too spicy, saying that even some Indian people find it too spicy). It was quite good, but the most wonderful thing were the hot puffy appam. I had never had them before and oh wow. Apparently, they are a traditional Keralan dish made with rice flour. http://www.mariasmenu.com/vegetarian/kallappam They are somewhat similar to Ethiopian injera, but I thought much better. When they come out all hot and puffy and you dip them into the spicy curry sauce -- heaven!
The shrimp curry was also delicious - spicy, but not as spicy as the fish curry, and with beautiful fresh tasting herbs and spices. The curry just tasted much better and fresher than the curry you get at the typical neighborhood Indian restaurant (at least in my neighborhood). The rice was also 10 times better than the rice you get at your usual corner Indian restaurant.
We finished with chai, which was also delicious.
I can't wait to come back and work my way through the menu.
Dinner for two with tax and tip was $36. Frankly, it has been a long time since I had food this good and fresh-tasting for that price in Los Angeles.
http://www.mayuraindianrestaurant.com/
P.S. They have a lot of vegetarian dishes and they say have two separate kitchens -- one regular and one strictly vegetarian.
-----
Mayura
10406 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
French Copper Pots = lined with TIN or STEEL?
Good to know that you think 1 tsp of fat is enough -- I was afraid that I was going to have to use 1 tablespoon in order to get more non-stick and that is a lot of extra calories.
I really don't want to coat my copper pans. One reason I loathe cast iron (and am thrilled to be rid of it now that I have bought tin-lined copper) is that I hate the whole ritual of wiping down with oil.
Except for an omelet and perhaps some other dishes where you are going to have a mess if you have sticking, I have decided that sticking is not a tragedy if it cleans up easily. After all, scrambled eggs taste the same, even if you lose a few bits to sticking. I'm glad to hear that I can pour warm water into my copper pan and leave it sitting on the counter to be cleaned out when I get around to it. (Another thing I hate about cast iron is that you cannot leave it lying around filled with water).
French Copper Pots = lined with TIN or STEEL?
I will have to try clarified butter. I just don't see myself buying a laser thermometer gun.
Yesterday morning I attempted scrambled eggs in my tin-lined copper. Trying to skimp on calories, I only used 1 teaspoon of duck fat for two eggs in a 8.5 inch pan at low heat. The eggs came out tasty, but I got a lot of sticking. I wonder if you just can't get away with 1 tsp of fat (calories be damned)?
Also, is there any issue with leaving the copper pan to soak in the sink all day? It needed soaking in warm water to release the stuck eggs and I would be more enthusiastic about making eggs in the morning if I could just leave the pan in the sink and deal with it when I got home from work.
French Copper Pots = lined with TIN or STEEL?
Peter said it would take awhile because he has to put handles on the pans.
P.S. At some point, I would like to know about your other source for lids because I will eventually get lids for the Rocky Mountain pans after they arrive.
French Copper Pots = lined with TIN or STEEL?
The only place that seems to sell the French lollipops is French Copper Studio, and to say they are expensive is an understatement.
That being said, do I understand correctly that if you buy the non-fitted copper lids, they are sort of universal lids and will work with any similar size pan even if not an exact fit? http://www.frenchcopperstudio.com/setof5liruwi.html
Because I doubt I will be able to find lids that are exact fits.
By the way, Rocky Mountain told me there will be a delay in getting my pans because the handles need to be fitted and I'm not sure, but perhaps they also need to be tinned.
What is the Best Brand of Green Tea?
Just placed an order. Glad to have another place to order from, since I have been ordering my green tea from Mariage Freres in Paris, which seems ridiculous.
I liked that The Green Teasist only has Japanese green tea, since that is what I drink, as opposed to places that have mostly Chinese green tea, with one or two Japanese teas as an afterthought. They had a decent selection and I settled on the middle grade of Kyoto origin sencha since that was described as more bitter than the highest grade and I like my green tea bitter.
Will report back when I receive my order.
