aching's Profile
Sunday brunch near Disney Hall?
I love Baco's brunch menu. The breakfast baco is delicious, but my absolutely favorite thing is the biscuit and gravy. The biscuit is scone-like, extremely tender and ever-so-slightly sweet, the gravy is everything gravy should be, and it comes with a fried egg on top.
Tricks you figured out in the kitchen and thought 'good one'!!!
I use mine for making meatballs. And I use my melon-baller for making little meatballs (for Italian Wedding Soup).
Loud and louder restos: Maybe I'm getting old, but...
Yes, there are a bunch of decibel meter apps, but the one I was using, Decibel Meter Pro, is 99 cents. (I started with a free one, but I found its readings suspect.)
In addition to location, I also think that the time of day, or at least the meal, should be noted, as many restaurants are much quieter at breakfast than at dinner. (My BL reading was in the bar area at 10:53 AM on a Sunday, btw.)
Oh, this really is fun. I feel a spreadsheet coming on...
Tricks you figured out in the kitchen and thought 'good one'!!!
"Stick the point of a paring knife into it so it won't explode and microwave the whole squash for 3 minutes. "
But be sure to REMOVE the paring knife before putting the squash into the microwave! =)
Old Ambassador Hotel
Pacific Dining Car, Taylor's, El Cholo (Western), or any of about a million Korean restaurants.
UMAMIcatessen - Thoughts?!
I really like that beet salad too. It feels weird to go to this meat extravaganza and order something vegetarian, but it's really good!
Loud and louder restos: Maybe I'm getting old, but...
So, when I was at brunch this weekend at Bottega Louie, I measured the noise level using an iPhone decibel meter, and got a range from 85-94 dB (yes, I'm a nerdy engineer). For comparison:
City Traffic (inside car) 85dB
Train whistle at 500', Truck Traffic 90dB
Jackhammer at 50' 95dB
Subway train at 200' 95dB
The level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss is 90-95dB.
I'm going to take more readings at other restaurants, this is fun!
OMG- Roasted Cauliflower
So, I have a question that I hope some of you experts can answer - if I want my cauliflower to cook slower and get browner, should I turn down the heat and increase the time, or vice versa? (I know I could do this experiment myself, but I though maybe someone could just tell me!)
OMG- Roasted Cauliflower
I tried the leftover vinaigrette on broccoli, and it was great. I really think the best combo of all might be brussels sprouts though! I've made a mental note to try it when brussels season rolls around again.
Top Five L.A. Sandwiches?
I have to add the Sloppy Joe at the Spice Table (a special) and the Brisket Banh Mi at Gjelina Take Away. The former is an Asian take on an American sandwich and the latter is an American take on an Asian sandwich, and both are amazing.
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
Coolhaus has a shop in Culver City on Jefferson. I haven't been myself, but it might be easier for you to track down than the truck!
I have never, ever, had a bad meal at ____________and I have eaten there over a dozen times!
Oh, Versailles also falls into this category (roasted pork).
You would have a hard time finding _________in Los Angeles...
Pizzeria Mozza has a version. I haven't tried it, though...
I have never, ever, had a bad meal at ____________and I have eaten there over a dozen times!
I can't even think of very many restaurants that I've been to over a dozen times! The two that spring to mind for me are Bay Cities and Wood Spoon. Not coincidentally, these are two restaurants where I always order exactly the same thing (Godmother and Chicken Potpie, respectively) and every single time it's exactly the same - perfect!
Foods you dread making because they’re time-consuming
I would never make something that I dreaded, but I will say that one time I made moussaka, and it took so incredibly long that I've never made it again!
OMG- Roasted Cauliflower
Oh yeah, capers - and parsley - so good. I also zested the limes before juicing them. I should mention though, the recipe makes a lot of the vinaigrette and it packs quite a wallop, so I would recommend adding it a little at a time, to taste. Enjoy!
OMG- Roasted Cauliflower
I've been making simple roasted cauliflower (just tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper) for a long time, and I love it. However, last night I tried this recipe and was blown away:
http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/la/8217/chefs_recipes/A_new_way_to_enhance_flavor.htm
Basically, you roast the cauliflower in bacon drippings and then dress it with an insanely delicious lime juice/fish sauce vinaigrette. I followed the recipe pretty closely except that I had the oven at 400 and I chopped the bacon and sprinkled it on top before serving (because really, at that point, why not go all the way?).
I cannot say enough about how good this dish was - my husband and I ate two huge heads of cauliflower ($12 at WF) in one sitting between the two of us!
BTW, I think this recipe would also be fantastic for brussels sprouts, and possibly broccoli. Yum!
Loud and louder restos: Maybe I'm getting old, but...
I agree on both counts. It had previously felt both a bit stuffy and quite dated to me. While the new decor is not necessarily my style, I think it was well done and a very smart business decision.
Sunday night dinner between Griffith Park and Hollywood?
You're right, I stand corrected! They didn't used to, and it was a real pain!
Sunday night dinner between Griffith Park and Hollywood?
Jitlada is great, but I don't think I would trust them with a seafood allergy. If you do go, be specific about your spice tolerance - otherwise, you may end up with a mouth on fire and tears rolling down your cheeks (as I did)!
Sunday night dinner between Griffith Park and Hollywood?
I think Hatfield's or Osteria Mozza would fit the bill perfectly (although I guess both are a smidge south of where you will be - but only by a few minutes). Hatfield's is on OpenTable. Osteria Mozza only takes reservations by phone, and you may be on hold for a while.
Recommendations near CBS studios?
Son of a Gun would be great. There's also Playa and AOC. I also think that Tasca is a hidden gem.
Blue Bird Cafe, on National, in Culver City? What happened to it?
I read that Royal T in the same neighborhood is also closing. Too bad - now that the Expo Line is finally running, it might have brought these businesses more traffic.
Pier Burger on The Santa Monica Pier. Sounds Good.
We tried it a couple months ago. The burger and fries were very good - similar to In n' Out's in style, but bigger and better. As for ambiance, though, it wasn't for me - we sat on the patio and it was deafeningly loud, between the music, carnival rides, and screaming children. I heard that they are only occupying the existing building temporarily and are planning to build a whole new one in its place - I don't know if that's true, and don't know what would happen to it during construction, but I do know that I would prefer a more relaxing setting. Then again, the Pier is what it is, so I guess it's to be expected!
P.S. "Shake Shake", Wienermobile? That's a cute name!
DTLA Sunday brunch?
If it's available, try the biscuit and gravy - it doesn't sound like much, but I think it's to die for.
You would have a hard time finding _________in Los Angeles...
They're probably not authentic (I couldn't say, never having had the real thing) but I really like the egg sandwiches at both Bottega Louie and Short Order...
Loud and louder restos: Maybe I'm getting old, but...
I don't think you meant to respond to me? But I'll respond anyway - it is possible to have durable and cleanable spaces that include acoustical treatments. Carpet on the floor would be disgusting, I agree (the only nice restaurant I can think of that has it is Ray's), but there are all kind of wall and ceiling treatments that can be positioned so that there's no way that food can get on them. I've even seen tables that have acoustical treatment on the underside - clever!
