Tasting Omni Hotels' Simply Street Food Menu @ Noe Restaurant & Bar

As far excitement goes, those in hotel restaurants — particularly chains — tend to be pretty bleh. The drill and the menu reads all too familiar. Overdressed Caesar salad, a minestrone that’s been simmering for who knows how long, and of course the “just kill my tastebuds” club sandwich.

So when Conbon and I were invited to check out Omni Hotels’ Simply Street Food menu, I was definitely surprised to see them do a little risk taking with the bar fare offerings.

Wary travelers looking for comfort grub, don’t fret; Noe still offers the familiar fare of burgers and mac ‘n cheese, though I would definitely steer you towards their seafood-focused offerings, or the more exotic bites of the Simply Street menu, regionally inspired from chefs across the Omni Hotel chain. And out of that menu, these are the ones we loved the best.

Chicken Musakhan Sandwich

A great Middle Eastern spin off a chicken salad sandwich; tender, succulent pieces of chicken are roasted with aromatic spices (the sumac was the most noticeable for me) then wrapped in a pillowy flatbread with tomatoes and sweet onions. It’s festively flavorful and finger-friendly, making it a great bar bite (especially if you have a hoppy beer or an herbacious cocktail in the other hand.)

Duck Confit Empanada with Smoked Tomato Mayonnaise

A lovely high-meets-low snack, sweet duck confit is mixed with cabbage then baked into a crispy pastry crust, rounded out by the tangy & smoky dip. Like the Musakhan, I love that this is also fairly robust in flavors, and can easily hold its own against a more potent & aromatic drink.

Short Rib & Vermont Cheddar Grilled Cheese

Probably the most familiar of the Simply Street menu, I love this elevated take on the classic with short rib that’s been braised for hours, accented with the nutty tang of cheddar and smacked in between two crisped slices of sweet brioche.

And since we were at the Noe Bar, we took the time to check out some of their libations too. While I was impressed with the Vineyard Margarita pictured above (the addition of Sauvignon Blanc gave this usually-too-cloying drink a refreshing, spritzy feel), Conbon and I definitely gravitated towards Noe's Prohibition-era drinks, including a fantastic Boulevardier…

… and an old school Sazerac made with Cognac (which Tyler Dow, Noe Restaurant's General Manager, illuminated me as the original base spirit of the cocktail, before a trade embargo of sorts steered New Orleanians towards Rye; he also share similarly fantastic lore with Conbon while making her Aviation, with Creme de Violette of course!)

Needless to say, we both had a fantastic time at Noe Bar and so glad to know of this Bunker Hill gem where we can grab a fantastic classic drink, and satisfying bites to go with.

That being said, the Simply Street Food menu is expected to run through June, so hope you have a chance to try before then. Though if you're daring in the kitchen, you can always try making them at home with these recipes!

Noe Restaurant & Bar at Omni Los Angeles
251 S Olive St 
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 356-4100
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Raiding Roosevelt Hotel's Eateries & Watering Holes: Spare Room, Public Kitchen & Bar, Library Bar and 25 Degrees (No. 205)

(photo credit: ericthenorsk)

It was totally something I did just for the heck of it. It was Wednesday, I needed a little adventure, and Hotel Roosevelt happens to boast quite a few reputable eateries and watering holes. So I decided to hit up four of them in one night.

My first stop of the night was Spare Room, the classic (and classy!)-looking bar on the second floor decked out with duel bowling alleys & a variety of classic table games. There, I met up with Naomi Schimek, well-known for her eclectic vintage-meets-garden approach to cocktails. And coincidentally enough, I found out all summer long they are doing a special Wednesday Happy Hour, with $5 mini lobster rolls and $7 Nanucket Sounds . . .

. . . made with lemon balm & chamomile-infused Plymouth gin, Bianco vermouth, fresh cantaloupe & lemon juices, Peychaud's bitters and a hearty dollop of housemade spiced ginger sorbet -- served with a wooden spoon so you can eat while you drink. And it's perfect for the seasonal cusp... refreshingly spicy to soothe away the warm summer days, but with a complex, warm-spices aroma and a depth that eases you into the autumn. And while I sipped away at this heavenly cocktail, I picked up a few tips to emulate that ginger sorbet at home... if I'm so daring (the trick is to use inverted sugar so it stays fine & smooth upon freezing, as opposed to a coarser granita with regular sugar.)

While I had no initial plans to eat at Spare Room, I simply couldn't resist the lobster roll for a Lincoln. It was bigger and meatier than I expected, and two of these would've made for a satisfying meal. There were hearty chunks of chilled lobster with crunchy onions and celery, lightly dressed (yay for not being overly-mayo'd up) in a buttery roll.

And to go with the roll, a Kentucky Glove Box -- which smells and tastes like Gold Rush's more aromatic & feminine cousin w Bourbon, Yellow Chartreuse, simple syrup and fresh lemon juice. Great sipper!

Afterwards, I proceed down to Public Kitchen and Bar, a place I've been meaning to revisit since its Grand Opening week -- having filled up a little from the roll, I decided against my planned order of zucchini risotto with diver scallops & mint mascarpone (that were AMAZING when I had them last time) and opted for two side dishes.

Grilled king oyster mushrooms w sweet garlic & truffle jus and oven-roasted rainbow chard w olive oil, shallots & balsamic vinegar--both totally solid sides that's as straightforward as the menu described it, you can taste every component listed and the combination of them all is definitely a little magical. I especially appreciated the super-light touch of the truffle jus on the 'shrooms, which are already woodsy-earthy to begin with (and because so many places tend to overdo with the truffle flavorings! Less is more here, people!)

Drinks @ Public are in oversized portions and lean on the sweet side. Their Public Manhattan involves a generous splash of Luxardo Maraschino, which admittedly does smooth out some of the sharper edges of the (Ri)1 whiskey. But the Alexandra cocktail (made w Milagro Silver, Aperol, St. Germaine, Lemon Syrup, Mint, Passionfruit & Yuzu Juices -- photoed w the rainbow chard) can easily do double-duty as a drink and dessert ... if that's your thing.

Following the somewhat light dinner, I sauntered (or possibly meandered) to Library Bar, where Matt Biancaniello was busily mixing up his market-fresh cocktails--picking out fruits, vegetables, herbs from his vibrantly-colored "bar" that looked more like a farmer's market stall.

After hearing of my affinity for gin and spiciness, he made me a Monkey See, Monkey Do with Hendrick's Gin, pepper-Infused St. Germaine's, purple shiso plus peach & lime juices. An absolute delight to drink, with a bouquet and flavor profile that felt infinitely intriguing. It's definitely fruity but without being too sweet, a little tongue tingle action with the spiced liqueur, and heavenly herb backdrop from the shiso & gin.

Afterwards, Matt served up a seemingly simpler Italian Greyhound (Campari, Aperol, fresh passionfruit & grapefruit juices), but the two fruits & two apertifs combined into an alchemic creation that's just as sophisticated (and super-quaffable!)

I saved 25 Degrees as my last stop since I know they're open 24/7 and because I figured I would need some heavy duty munchies-style grub after all those libations! But alas, instead of burger & fries -- I opted for their three-cheese plate, Tuscan tomato soup & a refreshing glass of Sam Adams Octoberfest (turned out I arrived during their late night happy hour!) In a more sober moment, I would've consider the soup a bit too salty (maybe left boiling too long?) but that night it just hit the spot to sober me up, and tomatoes & basil notes definitely shone through.

And I will also give kudos for 25 Degrees' bang for the buck... look at the size of the $5 soup & $9 three-cheese platter (use the pint glass of $4 beer & the standard bread slices as comparison); and those aren't just everyday ole' cheese either, the trio I chose from their upscaley selection were Carr Valley's Benedictine Washed-Rind Sheep-Cow-Goat Blend, Cypress Grove's Midnight Blue Aged Goat Cheese and Ciresa's Gorgonzola Prelibato... needless to say they didn't stay in that doggy bag for long in the days after.

Hotel bars & restaurants have traditionally gotten a bad rep as far as food quality & value goes, often stereotyped as spots for out-of-town tourists who don't know any better or for businessfolks to harried to wander outside the lodging's confines for a bite or a sip. And while there are the occasional one or two gems in a hotel, I'm most pleasantly surprised and delighted to report that there are FOUR options @ Hotel Roosevelt that are solid and fitting for a variety of budgets & cravings, from $4 beers at a burger joint, to casual-chic multi-course meal to a fun round of games & drinks with friends to just lingering over a bar of fresh produce, waiting to pleasantly surprised . . .

Or if you are so inclined, hitting all of them up in one night!

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

7000 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.466.7000

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Spare Room

323.769.7296

Public Kitchen & Bar

323.769.8888
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Library Bar

25 Degrees Hollywood

323.785.7824
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No. 200: MB Post (Manhattan Beach)

After a blissful, sunny afternoon of rollerblading up and down the South Bay (or as I call it, Red Hermando -- for Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan & El Segundo beaches,) I decided I might as well dine in the neighborhood too. I have heard some good buzz about the newly-opened MB Post, and had a good impression of David LeFevre's cooking from his previous post @ Water Grill in downtown LA, so I met up with Caroline on Crack to get some impromptu bites & sips.

Since it was Saturday evening and located in downtown Manhattan Beach, I wasn't surprised at how jam-packed the space was. What was a bit more shocking is that there was absolutely no waitlist for walk-ins that night, so our only option if we want to eat without a reservation is at the bar that seats about 15, which of course was packed as well (and already surrounded by other barstool buzzards.) We were slightly peeved, especially since some tables stayed vacant for about half an hour, but decided to go for a round of drinks at least... while keeping a sharp eye out for anyone wrapping up at the bar.

Our first cocktails did LOTS to alleviate our vulturing angst. My Southern Hospitality (front), a bourbon punch with grilled peach, cinnamon and vanilla, was superb. Sweet-smelling without actually tasting sugary, and the fruit + spices were wonderfully balanced against the Eagle Rare. Plus, it was super quaffable! While we would sip on many more tasty cocktails throughout this meal, this is surely my fave of the list. Meanwhile, Caroline on Crack got the equally refreshing & downable Dirge: Corpse Reviver. Both were great for a still-warm summer evening, maybe not-so-great considering our empty stomachs (and me not having eaten for at least six hours.) And indeed, they packed an unexpectedly early wallop.

Just when we finished our first drinks two seats opened up @ the bar, so we swooped in and snagged them. After going through the whole menu (that I'm giving extra kudos for being updated daily plus spontaneously-looking last-minute scribbles!) we decided on sharing three entrees... and another round of drinks.

Our first edible dish was the nectarine tart with whipped ricotta, arugula and candied walnuts (a.k.a. what Caroline and I both yelled "YES!" to when we saw it on the menu.) The dish was a lot more savory than I anticipated, with nectarines lending more of a sweet, fruity acidity to the dish -- almost like an aged balsamic vinegar. And it worked very well with the crisp, peppery greens, gooey, mild-flavored cheese, crunchy nuts. Overall, it reminded me a bit of caprese salad with a decidedly contemporary & Californian twist -- and on top of a buttery, crumbly crust! After we wolfed this down, we both contemplated getting another order...

Number two was what I dubbed "Corn & Grits": grilled corn kernels on top of Anson Mills' antebellum white corn grits with fontina cheese and chili. Total comfort dish -- hot, hearty and cheesy, with the occasional welcoming pop of heat & sweetness from the chili and kernels. And somehow, this dish didn't feel super-heavy, which I appreciated since we still have a few more items to eat.

Our entree was local white sea bass (I believe it was from Santa Barbara area), with a 'summer vinaigrette', kalamata olives, basil and squash slices. It was well-prepared: the fish was firm and meaty without being overcooked, and the vinaigrette was well-seasoned and struck a nice balance between oil & acid, but it felt a bit lackluster compared to the first two things we had--maybe because it was a more straightforward dish. Nonetheless, even after the fish & veggies were gone we used our bread to lap up the remaining sauce.

Still slightly less-than-full, and in need of something to soak up the alchy, we added an order of their fleur de sel pretzel with David's nuclear horseradish mustard. It hit the spot as a bar food, with a salty, crispy exterior and spongy dough within, with a dip that adds a distinctive bite that's, thankfully, less spicy than the name suggests.

Rounding off our meal, at the suggestion of our bartend and ChowBalla (who was dining there that night,) we got the "Elvis" -- a decadent combo of peanut butter mousse, chocolate pudding, caramelized bananas and bacon brittle. Everything tasted great on its own, but when combined it turned into a little spoonful for heaven. Maybe even a little more for me, since Caroline was pescatariany, thus giving me free reign over all the bacony brittle goodness.

And now, back to drinks -- midway through out meal, Caroline and our bartender recognized each other (turns out he worked the Andaz back @ the first Blogger Prom!) which meant more cocktails to sample on top of what we've already ordered! Fortunately, with actual solid food in our stomach we actually held our own ... but still fell shy of finishing everything. As noted before, all the drinks we had were great, and while Southern Hospitality is still a winner for me, here are some others that are noteworthy too:

The "Mo-Pho-Jito", with a Southeast Asian twist on the traditional mojito, with Starr African Rum, ginger, coriander honey topped with zests of kaffir lime. I am already a fan of well-made mojitos (a.k.a. any that's not over-the-top with excessively-smashed mint leaves,) but this one definitely takes it to a whole new level. While there's only a smidgen of ginger's spiciness & the coriander seemed absent altogether, those freshly-grated zests hit the spot!

"Virgil's Ascent", a Negroni variation with cloves and pomegranate seeds - a great summer take on a drink that's traditionally bolder and heftier. It still has the classic's bouquet of floral & herbal aromas, but the fruit and cloves gave it a delightfully spritzier feel that makes it an easy warm-weather sipper.

The Belgian-influenced beer list is worth a look too - we wound up splitting a Buffalo Belgian Stout from Brouwerij Van den Bossche, which turned out to be great on its own or with sweets. It definitely has the characteristic chocolatey-coffee notes from the dark-roasted malts, but is considerably lighter in body than most stouts and a tinge of fruity-yeasty notes that made for a complex & provocative brew worthy of sniffing & sipping. Repeatedly.

And after all that eating and drink, we decided it would be wise to take a sobering stroll, around downtown Manhattan Beach and the pier -- and played around with the night-shot settings on our cameras. Which made for an absolutely blissful day (and night) in the South Bay.

Though of course next time I'll try to make a reservation or go at a less busy time of the week.

What Do Others Say?
- Thirsty in LA said South Bay residents "can now stay local to enjoy reasonably-priced, sophisticated cuisine and craft cocktails in a sleek and comfortable space."
- Gastronomy said "thirty-some-odd miles is quite a distance to travel for dinner, but the trip was more than worth my while."
- Brad A. Johnson, while not hot on its desserts or communal table seating, summed it up as "a fantastic new gastropub [and] one of the toughest reservations in all of L.A."
- KevinEats deemed it a "great addition to the neighborhood [with] an eclectic blend of the familiar and the new."
- ShopEatSleep (posting for LAist too) said "if you're looking for a casual meal made with high-quality ingredients and expert cooking, then head over . . . we would go back in a heartbeat."
- DarinDines said this restaurant "prepared plates with familiar, yet engaging flavors . . . I could see why this place was so popular."
- Deep End Dining slyly noted that "neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the MB Postmen (and women) from their appointed rounds."

More photos on flickr here

MB Post
1142 Manhattan Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
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No. 196: Simmzy's (Manhattan Beach)

With the days getting longer & warmer again, I've definitely been struck with nostalgia for the beach and all the tasty bites & sips along the shores. This week, when I was running errands around town in the sunny afternoon -- I got a sudden pang for this:

The Haystack fries at Simmzy's in Manhattan Beach. The preparation is simple (shoestring garlic fries topped with a light buffalo sauce & blue cheese dressing) but was very well-executed, a nuanced balance so that it's not too spicy, not too pungent, not too salty and not too rich. Worlds away from most pub grub that's over-salted, heavy and/or spicy to try to get customers to order more beer (only to have food overpower the finer flavors & aromas of the brew.)

It made for a perfect mid-day bite (esp. in the midst of an Urban Hike, which I was doing up & down the Beach Cities back in September...) and particularly great with one of their cold craft brews on tap--So I definitely love how these fries went well with beer--like the refreshingly crisp, mildly citrusy & spicy Belgian-style Blonde from Brouwerij West.

Of course, next time I'll corral a few more friends so we can taste other crafty brews & nosh on more items @ this Manhattan Beach gem. But I already know what I'll insist on ordering . . .

Simmzy's
229 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 546-1201
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No. 193: Stark Bar @ LACMA

The Ginger Rogers always had a special place in my heart, it was the first "serious" cocktail I've ordered -- at the ripe age of twenty-one years & a month at Dupont Circle's Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe (also known for their everything-but-the-kitchen sink Dysfunctional Family Sundae) -- and a far cry from the collegey drinks I've had thus far (whose "recipe" - if you can call it that - is burying the burn of cheap spirits with whatever cloyingly sweet, artificially colored and flavored mixers at hand.) The Ginger Rogers was fizzy and tingly and refreshing and absolutely perfect for those balmy D.C. summers. In short, it got me dancing on air after a long day of interning.

Alas, it's rare that I got this drink after my Washington days, I hardly see it in menus and when I inquire about it most bartenders steered me towards the gin-gin mule instead. It's fine, esp. since ginger syrup is not exactly a standard bar component, but oh -- how I long to tap my feet with Miss Rogers again.

So you can imagine the gleeful nostalgia I got when I saw this very drink on the Stark Bar cocktail list . . .

. . . yes, please! And it was just like I remembered - the spicy-sweet ginger, the citrusy zing from fresh limes, the cool refreshing scent of mint -- all backed by that subtle, florally Plymouth Gin bouquet. Combine this with the al fresco setting of Stark Bar and you got total bliss.

Likewise, they did a magnificent job with the Bijou; another classic that's rarely on a drinks menu and another one that I usually hesitate to order, since it's made with three potent potables (gin, vermouth, chartreuse) and can be easily thrown off-balance by slightest error in proportions. Thankfully that wasn't the case here, and this silky, fragrant jewel of a cocktail made for a wonderful sipper.

The gussied-up bar bites here are well worth ordering too, Connie and I shared the marrow & bacon flatbread. Roasted marrow is pretty much a no-fail, but we appreciated the extra zip of pesto on top, which we continued to lap up with the grilled bread long after marrow's spooned out (and yes, we did contemplate sucking on the bone.) The flatbread - generously topped with mozzarella, pancetta and kale - was more than satisfying, and I justified that the crispy kale mean that it's a healthy dish.

Nutritional debate aside, Connie and I decided that our nibbles & sips were tasty and this place is definitely worth checking out again (esp. for some outdoor sipping & snacking in the summer, or perhaps after a cultured tour through LACMA.) Maybe even a full meal @ Ray's too!

What Do Others Say?
- Caroline on Crack did a "He Said, She Said" review of their signature cocktails w John from Social Domain, agreed that it "would be a perfect way to pass a warm summer evening."
- EstarLA found that "there are really just so many cocktails and treats – not to mention mains – to try on this menu."
- Sinosoul, in a retort to Midtown Lunch's snarky tweet, did a picture-only post of his hosted meal there.
- Chowballa declared that "lunch is a no-brainer here since it’s at the museum . . . But I think it’s worthy of its own trip, even for dinner."
- EatingLA noted that "LACMA finally has a restaurant worthy of the sleek new buildings on its campus."
- FoodGPS highlighted Ray's Chile Relleno as part of his Dose of Vitamin P series.
- StreetGourmetLA was also enamored with the space. "The moment I arrived I felt as though I were arriving at some gala event. This is going to be a hot spot in the summer."
- ShopEatSleep pretty much summed it up with her blog headline "Coolest museum eatery ever."

Stark Bar @ LACMA
5905 Wilshrie Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.857.6180
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No. 188: WP24 (Downtown LA)

"We're traveling out of the SGV for Chinese food?" asks the Gastronomer as we carpooled down the 110. Indeed, I had the same bewildered thought too ~ but how can we resist a chance to check out bar bites & drinks at WP24, celeb-chef Wolfgang Puck's latest resto housed high in the Ritz-Carlton Residences Tower @ L.A. Live.

Of course, longtime Angelenos know that this is not Puck's first foray into Far East fare. That honor goes to Chinois in Santa Monica, which opened in '83 and put some major steam behind the Pan-Asian fusion movement that is pretty ubiquitous, some say overdone, in the urban food scene now. So color me curious as to what else can be fresh and innovative in this realm more than a quarter century after.

As expected, one of the biggest draw for WP24 is its spectacular view, overlooking the downtown LA skyline and the 110 freeway. Coupled with the modern-chic vibe of the lounge, it's definitely a nice spot to impress a date, out-of-town visitor or business acquaintance.

The drinks we sampled that night all leaned on the fruity side with a slight Asian flair, such as the Pinarita above with Thai basil-infused tequila and pineapple juice and the Pearfect Asian with Absolut Pear, Canton ginger liqueuer & lime. Overall they were a bit too sweet & mellow for me, but I appreciate the slight envelope-pushing aspects of the menu to gently wean the crowd away from the likes of margaritas, cosmopolitans and other vodka-based "-tinis," hopefully over time the bar will develop even more edgier selection for those looking for a real palate challenge worth the ~$16 price tag (maybe pair that ginger with wasabi to clear the tastebuds? how about something with Chinese five-spice to blend with the cuisine? Or an aromatic cocktail with fresh yuzu and jasmine tea? Or better yet, incorporate traditional Asian spirits and liqueurs for a truly fusion cocktail match against the menu!) But for now, Rivera & Cana reign supreme when I wanna get my cocktail on around L.A. Live.

As for the bar bites themselves, it depends on what you deemed acceptable as Asian-inspired fare. My best analogy so far is that this is the equivalent of "modernized, fusion rolls" against traditional sushi (and funny enough, the sushi & sashimi are offered as bar bites here too!) The lounge dishes we sampled included an array of dumpling and spring roll variations, which like the fusion rolly sushi, are very saucy with more richer, more pungent ingredients compared to traditional deal. Symbolic of this is the "dan dan" chicken dumplings we tried, assertive creatures with a one-two-three punch of peanut, garlic and chili -- unlike the more delicate flavors of the steamed, boiled or even pan-fried dumplings that I'm used to. I don't mean it in a better or worse way, just different.

Since I easily admit to indulging in the occasional fusion rolls with spicy tuna, avocado, mayo and teriyaki sauces, there were definitely a few not-quite-authentic fusion treats on here too. My favorites included the tiny dumplings that were huge on flavor with its vibrant chili oil and black vinegar combination that delightfully complemented the rich pork belly filling and the above peking duck rolls that was packed with juicy, moist meat and made for a dippable, finger-friendly variation of the original. Too bad I didn't get a chance to try the baby pork belly bao buns, which were in short supply and high demand @ our tables.

The fusiony sushi rolls were pretty decent too, but I wasn't able to ID this one from that given the hasty pace that they were served and how fast everyone devoured them after, giving me little opportunity to determine what I actually ate.

Overall, lounging @ WP24 was a pleasant experience with a surprisingly number of tasty dishes if one can check their authentically Asian expectations at the door and overlook the amusing redundancy in some menu items, such as the Shrimp Har Gow and Bao Buns. I for one, plan on finally feasting on those bao buns while indulging some classic drinks and maybe a delectable sweet bite, all the while soaking up the glittery landscape of the city.

More photos from the media dinner here

WP24
900 W Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90015
213.743.8824

Friday Quickies #82: Festive Drinking Edition

The Tar Pit's Jamaican Firefly

It's almost all about watering stations opening this week . . . because everyone can use a little liquid courage, post-entertaining relaxation or a new place to ring in the New Year's ;)

In the Mid-City on La Brea near Melrose, The Tar Pit opens today. A collaboration between Mark Peel (of Campanile) and Audrey Saunders (of New York's famous Pegu Club) the 1940s theme restaurant and bar features surprisingly reasonable Neo-classical cocktails (most are $11), wines (everything on the list is $38 a bottle) and menu (priciest dish, Steak Diane, rings in at $17.) I was fortunate enough to be invited to a press preview party yesterday; the Jamaican Firefly (a sweet-n-spicy concoction of dark rum, housemade ginger beer and lime) is a favorite in the crowd, and the gnocchi w escargot is worth a try too.

Further out West, Bar Bouchon is also opening today - with a more casual vibe than the restaurant upstairs and seating less than 50; it's a great spot for those who want a few drinks and some small bites (a great way to preview some of the fare without dropping as much change.) And while it is a full bar, the beers (artisanal ones picked by Keller himself) and wines (carefully selected by head sommelier Alex Weil, including the Vin de Carafe program) are definitely worth more than just a passing glance.

And in the East, the much anticipated Eagle Rock Brewery finally opened! While tours and tastings are RSVP only now while they get their bearings straight. Right now they've just released their first batch of Solidarity, a mild black ale - but you may get a preview of their witbier-style Manifesto or their Revolution IPA as well. Email here or call 323.257.7866 to RSVP.

And while you're out in Eagle Rock, you may as well swing by Larkin's - a contemporary soul food joint that is doing an adopt-a-family drive now until the 23rd. Bring in clothes, toys and other non-perishables to help the cause and you get 15% off the bill, warming the soul in more ways than one (esp. when you get their seafood broth gumbo, Momma's BBQ meatloaf or their "dirty" grits with bacon, pepper and onions.)

And my favorite festive reads of the week:

Slate tackles the history and variations of the often-misunderstood fruitcake

And also answers the question for the most eco-friendly cheese to bring to the table (go young, go soft, go local)

Meanwhile, LA Times go full hog with the turducken, which test kitchen manager Noelle Carter makes seamlessly easy

And for a little more deets about The Tar Pit, Pat of EatingLA already summed up her experience from yesterday's preview

And being the chocoholic I am, definitely appreciated gawking at Diana Takes a Bite's chocolatey last-minute holiday gift list

And, for a little laughter, check out S. Irene's snarky zero-star review of Firenze Osteria and Don't Even Reply's prank response to a call-for-catering ad (makes me think twice about using craigslist!) May I interest you in a little Le Sandwich Rouge?

A weekend of foodventures compressed into one day . . .

I've always been one to "Work hard, play hard" -- but when I get called in to work weekends that easily turns my mantra into "work hard, play hardER!" on the days I do have off. so that's exactly what I did this past Saturday, when I easily crammed 2-3 days worth of events and outings into one 24-hour period of fun, thrills and, of course, food.

My day actually started the night preceding, when I went to USC-LA Coliseum area to partake in the Nike+ Human Race 10K (disclosure: the Nike folks were actually going for more online/social media outreach this year, so they reached out to a few local influentials, including my friend Caroline on Crack, so as a blogger and plus-one I got hooked up with some dandy running gear – more on that on my much-neglected “other half” blog coming up.) The run was wild and crazy with over 8,000 peeps taking on 5K/10K in Central LA. Being packed as it was, I didn’t set a record for my run, but still did better than I expected (53 minutes for 10K, so approx. 8:30 a mile). It was great meeting fellow running bloggers Sonja of Active Foodie, Josh of FoodGPS, and Andy + Lisa of LAist (DianaTakesABite was also there staffing the shoe trials booth) And just to make this paragraph relevant to this blog, I also enjoyed the barbecue-flavored PopChips that were provided to runners -- wildly flavorful and not greasy at all!

A little snack and an abridged five-hour sleep later, I hauled my surprisingly-not-sore legs to Venice to meet up with Sonja, Caroline and her friend Mei-Mei at Gjelina. Having arrived in the Abbot Kinney area a little early, I decide to indulge in a post-run affogato at Intelligentsia. After one sip and one spoonful, I think espresso+ice cream should be a part of everyone’s well-balanced breakfast!

After that blissful drink, Caroline, Mei-Mei and I plopped our butts down at Gjelina (Sonja ran a little late). I’m not usually one to bag on restaurants, but what’s up with the attitude? From the curt hostess who sat us down in the most dysfunctional and fugliest table on the nearly-empty patio (turquoise, rusty AND wobbly) and not letting us switch to another four-top due to reservations (Caroline and I found that questionable, since she called a few days before and was told reservations allowed only for parties of six-plus.) And then there’s our fedora-wearing hipster waiter who was impatiently hovering around us early on while we waited for Sonja, providing abrupt replies to our questions interspersed with “are you ready yet?” and practically disappeared after getting the order down (I don’t believe he even checked up on our table.) Well, sorry if we weren’t celebrities or hobbits (I spotted Elijah Wood and Dominic Monaghan in semi-private area of the restaurant,) but a little TLC at the table goes a long, long way.

As for the food, it was on the OK-to-good range – nothing that I’d make a destination for. I got the chickpea and Israeli couscous stew with spiced yogurt and harissa sauces – more on the lunchy side of brunch but it satisfied my hunger and was a hearty-but-not-heavy dish. Sonja, Caroline and Mei-Mei got poached egg dishes, and the latter two’s were more liquidy than I expected (how bout giving the eggs a little wiggle and water drainage before slapping it on top of a bed of grits and mushrooms so they don’t turn into soggy-soup?) On a good note, I did enjoy my La Chouffe Belgian blonde ale – toasty aromas with flower undertones and a little spiciness on the mouth while being totally quaffable. But yeah, while I won’t totally write Gjelina off, it’s not a place I would actively recommend if my pals and I are looking for a place to eat (esp. for $30 for brunch!) … if anything, I might steer us towards Tasting Kitchen, Lemonade or 3 Square nearby.

Unable to resist the calls of the numerous food trucks staking their spaces Abbot Kinney, our group succumbed to Marked5 (five items on menu, $5 – including tax – for everything) and tried their Torakku Beef burger. I had a bite and thought it was alright but messy with the rice patties (though my lack of interest may be because I had a belly full of chickpeas, couscous, brussel sprouts and beer.)

Remembering the Royal/T Three Apples party going on that day, Caroline and I went to Culver City to check out the Hello Kitty craziness. It was a madhouse indeed… with all sorts of Hello Kitty and tokidoki merchandise (designers from both were there doing signings) and numerous collaborative/tribute art with other artists. But it was still fun look at the pieces, and Caroline bought some funky-punky items and we chilled later on with some iced teas at the café. But definitely one of the more chaotic exhibition openings I’ve been to and bummers we couldn’t get our stuff signed by Simone though.

Still having a bit more time to kill for the day, we opted for some beers and snacks at Library Alehouse – which I’m glad to finally visit so I won’t confuse it with downtown’s Library Bar anymore. Both of us got the $7 five-beer sampler and let our bartend, Danny, pick some of the four-ounce samples for us. Good stuff, I liked the Hazelnut Brown Nectar and Hop Head Red he picked – and of course I am pleased to sip on Allagash White (already gone by the time I took photo, heh) and Racer 5 IPA. Our dishes were also nice bar bites, I had the sesame-seared ahi tuna that was the perfect bite at the moment, very light and the wasabi and ginger went nicely with the hoppier beers. Caroline got the chipotle shrimp quesadillas; solid stuff, but I was floored by the ripeness of the tomatoes in the accompanying salsa.

Finally happy from food AND service, we headed to the beach to join up with our friend Siel a.k.a. GreenLAGirl for the Blogger Beach Clean-Up that she co-organized. It was great meeting up with fellow bloggers and put it towards something good, even if only for 20 minutes and Caroline, Yolanda and I only wound up getting two ice cream scoops’ worth of trash in that timespan. But it was nice to know that Santa Monica is actually a pretty clean beach, and that every little step counts toward making the planet a greener and healthier place to live. And of course, meeting all sorts of bloggers I already know (e.g. LAist's Zach Behren and Jennio) and a plethora of new ones.

While there was a happy hours afterparty for the beach clean-uppers at Pourtal, I decided to head east to check out the opening of the Giant Robot exhibition going on at Japanese American National Museum (free admission that day is a definite perk!) to check out the various Pop-Asian arts, from lighthearted cute to hauntingly dark. It was also nice seeing the rest of the museum too and to be reminded of United State’s own version of concentration camps during World War II. It seems like free drinks and food were being offered at the lobby reception, but I skipped 'cause of the lines and I already had other nosh plans.

Finally, supper time, and I already knew what I want to check out – the bar bites and dessert menus at Drago Centro, which has gotten good buzz lately. To start, I picked their mozzarella-speck-pepper-arugula rolls which just alright, and an amazing duck confit pizza that had a good amount of the fatty meat, not too shabby w three thin and crispy slices for just $4. I also tried one of their cocktails, the L'Erba Bleu - Buffalo Trace bourbon with fresh grapefruit sour. Sweeter and fruitier than my preference, I really can't complain since it's only $5 and I can see it being a decent gateway cocktail for someone who insist on not liking Bourbon.

The highlight of my meal definitely came with desserts, which I was very eager to try after reading LA Weekly's profile of pastry chef Jashmine Corpuz earlier this month. The la crostata di noci ($9) was heavenly -- a not-too-sweet walnut tart topped with parmesan gelato and crisp, surrounded with marsala syrup and grapes. I felt it was the perfect lovechild from the elopement of cheese and dessert courses. Pair it with the coffee-ish Old Rasputin Imperial Stout and you got one killer combo to end your meal with (and yes, I was tempted to DIY a beer float with the parmesan gelato, opted out of it--in hindsight I wished I asked the bar for a shotglass so I can do a mini version.)

And so ends my weekend-in-a-day. Despite the ups-and-downs encountered with the different events, overall it was fun and I'm glad it ended on a high note. After 13+ hours of being out and about (and I am not even counting the 2-3 hours in the Nike+ run) I'm definitely ready for a good night sleep and take my Sunday of work in stride.

Many more photos from my day here

Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea
1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA‎
(310) 399-1233‎

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA
(310) 450-1429

Marked5 Food Truck
Various locations

Royal/T Cafe
8910 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA
(310) 559-6300

Library Alehouse
2911 Main St
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 314-4855

Drago Centro
525 S Flower St
Los Angeles, CA ‎
(213) 228-8998 ‎