Appetizers, I mean Lunch at Elements Kitchen

This place had all the features of being one of those "little places" that you surprise your friends with; it's tiny, hard to spot, always has been there but you never noticed it. Their menu is pretty impressive too, always alternating with the differing seasons with things like their Veggie Burger with Cranberry Ketchup, Pumpkin Spiced Quinoa Salad with Almond and Cranberrys on top of some Mixed Greens. They also had different specials everyday. They made Everything from scratch, Potato chips, some sort of Herb Foccacia. And i was even informed that they were always trying to perfect everything in their menu, i'm guessing since most of them graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu Program a couple of blocks away. But of course like everything in this world, if you want the good stuff, it's gonna cost you a pretty penny. Here, it was a gonna cost you a gorgeous penny.


Unfortanately, they were still "perfecting" their Veggie Burger's Cranberry Ketchup, so i substituted with a half order of their Pumpkin Spiced Quinoa Salad and a Half Order of their Fall Vegetable Soup with Garlic Pistou. I saw the prices, but didn't mind them since it was some pretty good stuff coming from this side of town but i ASSUMED that they were going to be pretty decent sizes.


When our food came, the portions were more like Spa style. Just to tease you. It looked beautiful, but that was about it. The Quinoa was underneath the Mixed Greens rather than on top. And it was all sculpted in a perfect circle by one of those cookie cutter things. It was good, nice and chewy Quinoa with an abundance of little pieces of pumpkin and perfectly roasted Almonds. I even tasted a little mint in their. Nice balance of flavors. Although the greens were a little overdressed with their oily House Vinagaraitte. But after a couple of bites, everything disappeared.


Their light Fall Vegetable Soup was just as toothsome. The fluorescent green vegetable stock's flavors were well macerated and the garlic pistou added a bright garlicky punch. It was full of Baby Carrots, Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets and tiny little Bird Tongue Pasta. All evenly cooked. The real star for me was the Herb Foccaine, since i LOVE CARBS. Crisp, flaky and buttery but with Olive Oil not butter. Giving a different kind of richness. Perfect for soaking up the wonderful green broth. But like the quinoa, after a couple of spoonfulls, it was gone.


With my overwhelming demand for calories, this was really just an appetizer for me. When the check came with the $13.99 circled in the center. I felt kind of cheated, dissapointed. They did have some pretty good sounding desserts, but was scared to experience the same thing. And it turned out that they had "perfected" they cranberry ketchup since the morning but had forgotten to take off the post it. Typical luck for me.


Everthing was good, but i needed more, a lot more.
I found myself eating right when i got home.


Elements Kitchen
07 South Fair Oaks Ave., Ste 110 (at Dayton St.)
Pasadena, CA 91105

The Ultimate Food Question, L.A or N.Y?

Here is just my conclusion,


I was born and raised in L.A, i love it here but....i'm dissapointed in saying that when it comes to food variety and quantity. There is no question about New York beating L.A. I mean, i seriously couldn't walk like 10-20 steps without passing by a different restaurant, and that was just Manhattan.


But then again this is The Big Apple and you have to have a lot of money to be able to enjoy those plentiful restaurants. If you aren't well-adjusted, N.Y will eat you alive.

3rd and Last Day in N.Y.: Not-Your-Average Lunch at the C.I.A. (no not "C.I.A.", The Culinary Institute of America

As you may all know, I Love Food. And what do people that share my same passion do? They follow it! Realizing that my time to venture out into the real world is almost here, I have researched my options. And everything lead to the same thing, The Culinary Institute of America. This place is like The Yale of food, seriously. It’s huge! It has 8 learning facilities with 5 student restaurants!!! I will admit, I am scared but like their brochure states, they definitely do “speak food” and that is my language.


What I like best about this school is that unlike the other programs that I have seen (Le Cordon Bleu, Kitchen Academy) that seem to treat this field like a trade as opposed to a career, not all students that attend here end up being chefs but other food-related vocations. And I like to cook, but I love to eat! And to top it off they were even talking about opening up a Food Writing Class pretty soon! That’s really what I want!


Being at the worlds “Premier Culinary Academy, you knew I HAD to have a meal there. We weren’t dressed properly to eat at their Fine Dining establishments and the other mid scale place had unfortunately just closed so we were forced to eat at their student lunch cafeteria, Apple Pie Café. Trust me, this was not a bad thing.


This seemed like your average lunchy type of café, having to order and then having your food delivered to you in your table. But this was not your average café. Along with your average chocolate cake and tarts on display, they also had things like Coronets, Praline Gateau’s and even a Bavarian Coconut and Passion Fruit pastry! All the desserts looked like works of art, these were the type of desserts you would pay like $9-$10 for, yet they were all under $3!!! Today’s special happened to be a Stuffed Pretzel with Drunken Goat Cheese, Butternut Squash and Sage along with their Fall Vegetable Soup. Just what I was craving and needed for this rainy, near freezing day, and of course the coconut-passionfruit pastry.


The food came almost instant. And luckily I had a camera. So as soon as I develop the pictures I’ll put them up. The stuffed pretzel was distinctive. The dough was laced with bits of sage so the flavor had aerated all along the bread. The nice chewy bread was moist unlike many other dry pretzel breads that I’ve had. There was a nice crunchy, cheesy crust almost all around it that gave it a nice contrast to the chewy bread. The slightly sweet squash cubes were perfectly cooked evenly with the bread. Nothing less of what I was expecting.


The Fall Vegetable Soup was alright. The vegetable stock was a little bland and the assortment of squashes were overcooked and falling apart. But then again it was probably being kept warm for several hours. My brothers turkey sandwich was also not your ordinary turkey sandwich but with Honey-Wheat Brioche Bread, avocado and Chipotle Mayonnaise on the side, not inside already. You could definitely tell this was made for your health-consciouss customer.


Finally it was time for the desserts. These looked almost too beautiful to eat. Mine looked like some sort of architectural building with an infrastructure of vanilla cake, 3 floors of white chocolate and a little passionfruit and coconut shred rooftop. This was simply flawless. The passionfruit gave that nice tangyness that fruit gives to any form of chocolate. My brother “Chocolate XS” also looked very beautiful. What it lacked for in size, it made up for in chocolate. The mousse was dense filled with layers and layers of intense chocolate flavors, this was truly chocolaty, too chocolaty for me but I could tell my brother was loving it.


Perfect, Nothing less than what I expected from The Culinary

2nd Night In N.Y: Dabbling with Dumplings and Truly Living the Good Life

My brother always claimed that no dumpling place in L.A had matched Dumplings the ones’s he’s had in N.Y. So I was really looking forward to trying what N.Y had to offer, in case of dumplings.


Unfortunately the dumpling place that he went to was closed or something. The door was open but everything was dark and empty. So we ended up going to his second best place for dumplings, this place was the famous one that always got written up with all these reviews a Zagat ratings in the Window.


But sadly, the dumplings came up short. Dumplings are supposed to be small delicate things with the right amount of filling and not too thick. These seemed to be “americanized”, huge, thick and overstuffed. And you know what’s the first thing that suffers, flavor. The bland dipping sauce didn’t help neither.
These had nothing on Mei Long Village’s delicate things.



Il Bagatto: Truly Living The Good Life


This was the real highlight of the day. Since I didn’t come prepared with any addresses or specific places I’ve heard about, we ended up going to another one of my brothers “usual” places, this place it was Italian Place in the East Village that started his whole infatuation with Penne Arabiata, Il Bagatto. Having Lombardies the night before and having that stupid idea that if I “over-eat something” , I’ll eventually get tired of it. I didn’t really want to have “Italian again”. I know its really complex with many variations but for the most part or what’s offered in most restaurants, it’s the same garlic, tomato, starch deal. How truly stupid of me for thinking that.


After walking ninety-something blocks from Times Square to East Village, I was in some serious need of some nourishment. Especially after only having those dappy dumplings all day. It was 8:30PM, we were still waiting for someone so they sat us down in the bar and my brother and his friends started drinking. I actually could of also since the bartender also asked me, but I didn’t want to sound like an idiot ordering a “martini, shaken not stirred”, since that was the only thing I thought up when I thought of drinks. Soon it was 9:00 PM, then 9:15. I was growing more and more delirious from food deprivation every second. Finally I realized how stupid I was for not ordering an appetizer.


I ordered these Canneloni Beans cooked with tomatoes, garlic, shallot and rosemary. Man, frijoles never tasted so good, and I should know. The beans were cooked to a creamy consistency. First I spread it on some bread, but being used to eating it with a tortilla this was just weird. So I started eating “straight de la hoya”. Think Refried Beans, Italian style.


After this, my brother’s friend had finally came and it was really time to eat. They ordered some fancy Italian wine and the waiter even gave me a glass. Of course, I started drinking it. I still don’t know much about wine but I could tell, this was a good wine. There were 10 specials that night. But I was still curious about “Vegetables Marinated in Mom’s Secret Sauce” they had in the menu so opted for that.


We agreed on having some Anti-Pasto plate with Figs and some Grilled Calamari as an appetizer. The grilled squid was very chewy, almost gummy and tasted like smoke. Nice change from the usual fried calamari that’s offered mostly everywhere else. The Anti-Pasto Platter was brilliant. Italians have a gift for pairing foods, they have perfected it. The deep saltyness of the Prosciutto brought out the natural sweetness of the already candy sweet Fig, add a little sliver of the basil and you got the perfect combo of sweet, salty and flavor. I normally cringed at the thought of eating deli meats but this changed me.


To Be Continued.(I just wanted to post this one already so you could read everything else.

Il Bagatto
192 East 2nd Street (btwn Ave. A & B)
New York, NY 10009
Phone/Reservations: 212.228.0977

1st Night in N.Y: Pizza Epiphamy and a GOOD Vegan Chocolate-Coconut Cake

Arriving an hour earlier than expected (thanx to favorable winds), the change was dramatic. Everuthing felt different, the energy, ambiance whatever you want to call it. I knew I was no longer in L.A. It’s a weird feeling, unexplainable. I’m still trying to get over it. That still didn’t stop from enjoying Lombardies.


I remember a time when I had not yet discovered my passion for food, my brother had taken me to Lombardies pizza and being mesmerized by it. I wondered… if it did that to me before, what was it going to do to me now? Then came the moment of truth., The place sure had changed since the last time I’d been there. I remember waiting for a table in a small little checkered-tabled dining area. Now it was thrice as big and even had a place underground. It seemed like they realized that they were the first pizzeria in the U.S., and and got a little bit too cocky.


I’ll admit, I was beginning to worry that this was not going to be the same Lombardies that I once had. But I was quickly relieved. We ordered a small, 6 slices, with Pepperoni and Beefsteak Tomatoes and of course the famous shreds of basil and Pecorino Cheese that made it famous. Watching everyone else around us devour their thin as paper pies consoled my worries., And then it came, the first pizza, with all it’s glory. It almost seemed to good to be true. I took a while to admire it with all the colors of the Italian Flag, the charred blisters of thin light bread, the popped up Pepperoni, the fresh Mozzarela and Basil. This truly was a masterpiece.


And then came the first bite, the thin yeasty bread, the chewy mozzarella and the peppery basil all dancing in my mouth. This was truly a slice of heaven. The crust was light, filled with air bubbles caused by the heat of the oven. Bites turned into slices, slices turned into half the pizza and faster than I knew it, I was about to finish my half and then I stopped, to appreciate it one last time. I didn’t want it to end, but like we all know, All good things must come to an end.
And then…………………………………………………there.
- Everything was finished and that was that.


Most people would stop there, but not us. Not me and my sweet-toothed brother. You see, we are some of the few people left who haven’t sacrificed the joy of eating because of the latest fad diet, damned we were going to be if we were in what is considered to be one of the biggest food Meccas in the world and just “fuggetabout” one of the most important parts of a meal, dessert. After roaming the streets on a Wedneday night and catching a shot in what used to be CBGB’s, we found ourselves in a dilemma. That famous cupcake place had just closed. You would think that in a city that is known for “the city that never sleeps”, you could get a cupcake at 10:30PM! Disappointed, we started walking. Eventually we walked in to the first Café, for this little tea bar named Teany.



Little did I know that this little place was a also a N.Y Foodie exclusive. Vegan/Vegetarian, or “conscious food” is what I like to call it. My Favorite!!! And apparently owned by Moby. With a selection of 96 different teas and they even had a Vegan “Coconut Macaroon” cake! How lucky was I!!! Seriously!!! This kind of stuff never happens to me. The cake was unlike any vegan dessert I’ve had in L.A. This actually tasted like a dessert, not some sweetened condensed chunk of soy. This was truly decadent, even if it was vegan. A huge double decker slice of chocolate cake slathered with chocolate icing and coconut. Rich, where other vegan confections were just well…vegan, amazingly moist where others were painfully dry. And what better to compliment this than a buttery Caramel Loose Leaf Black Tea? Caramel and
Coconut. Two of my most favorite things in the world, enjoyed without feeling too guilty


All this? in just a matter of hours?


I don’t know l..A….N.Y made a pretty good first impression.

Lombardi Pizza
32 Spring St
New York, NY 10012-4173 View Map
(212) 941-7994

teany cafe
90 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002

Teenage Glutster goes To N.Y!!!

Yup, for 2 and a half days im going to be in New Y-o-k-e!
I’m going to be checking out the C.I.A since I’m most likely going to be attending it. Yup, in a just a couple of hours, my taste buds are going to be delighted by the foodie treats that NY is known for! Lombardies (the first pizzeria in U.S) That Dumpling place, and much more!! I will settle once and for all the great foodie debate…L.A or N.Y?

Hidden Little Panini Cafe

It's no secret that the best places always tend to be hidden. Either in a little strip mall or under-noticed next to a more known establishment, these are the real deal. This is the case when it comes to Panini Cafe in Marina Del Rey.


Especializing in authentic Paninis (italian pressed sandwiches) made with their house made rolls, they also offer several main course salads, soups and Desserts. Not to mention about as many kinds of coffee you can handle.


I wish i had more time to write but anywhere they're willing to make any rude customizations for really anal customers(me) like having their "Lamb Chop Salad" with Mixed Organic Baby Greens, Pine Nuts, Goat Cheese, Roasted Peppers and Tomatoes with a Balsamic Vinagairatte without the actual lamb chop but with a grilled Mahi-Mahi and Pesto Dressing. I know i shouldn't do it but i can't help my weird cravings! But yeah, after all the trouble. It was worth it.



I wish every place was like this.



4325 Glencoe Ave Ste 8
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 823-4446

Serenaded at Saladong Song.

There's nothing worse than going to a place when you're starving only to find out that it's closed in between the peak lunch or dinner times. We are fortunate that we don't have it as bad as they do in Europe though. If you don't get nothing to eat at the standard lunch or dinner times, you're literally screwed. Everything is closed, it's either you eat or starve.
Luckily, not every establishment carries this, Saladong Song being one of these.


I had heard about this place but didn't feel the urge to go since no other place i tried compared to Thai Purple, in Alhambra.(not to mention the complimentary coconut dessert). But with Tibet Nepal House in Pasadena being closed and i've been trying to broaden my restaurant reportoire, i didn't care were we went anymore.


We didn't know were to go between Saladong and Saladong Song, but we ended up going to the Latter since i remembered it being mentioned alot. The place was really bright, since it had Windows instead of Walls, better alowing the food to showcase it's plentiful hues. The place was definetely health-conscious, offereing "steamed multi grains" if you wanted some. I sampled the "Limited Edition" Hah-mok-pla, a fish-curry cake steamed in a Banana Leaf. my brother ordered the Yum Eggplant Salad and also ordered their Pad Thai instead of rice.


The Hah-Mok-Pla is what makes this place different than any other Thai Places. The Fish Cake was faultless, with the essenses of Thai Basil, Cabbage and Sweet Peppers, it just dissolved in your mouth. This had a right to be a limited Edition Item. With the Eggplant being labeled under salads, i thought it was going to like an actual cold salad but was deceived when the dish came. A whole Japanese Eggplant grilled and cut into three slices topped with butterflied Shrimp and the perfect tangy dressing. Squishy, in a good way. I ended up dipipng everything else into the dressing also. The Protein-Rich Pad Thai was unusually served in a omelette style, with the noodles and everything else inside, but the change was a good thing, especially for me right now. Although i must of ate more than half of everything, i didn't feel stuffed.


Saladong Song had serenaded me.

363 S Fair Oaks Ave (Cross Street: W Bellevue Drive)
Pasadena, CA 91105View Map
(626) 793-5200
Fax: (626) 793-7030

M Cafe: I Can Actually Eat This Everyday

I don't know why i tend to love, love, love health food! I seriously prefer the taste of veggies to meat, fruit sweetener to sugar and whole grain instead of enriched, well at least most of the time. With Real Food Daily and Oreans Health Express already being one of my favorites already, I couldn't wait to finally try M Cafe out.


At first i was kind of unsure if this was the right place, the place looked just like any other traditional deli. But then i saw the people eating the food. They were the kind of beautiful, perfect people you only see in L.A. And for the first time, there were other lanky, scraggy guys just like me. I even swear i saw the spitting image of me in the future. I knew i was in the right place.


There were so many options. But as soon as saw "The Big Macro", i knew what i was getting. I love veggie burgers and had to try their brown rice-y version with a side of Grilled Vegetables. But since i'm trying to incorporate more liquids in my diet, i ordered the Lotus Root And Sweet Corn Chowder extra. I got my dad some Macro Salmon, Spicy Tuna and Veggie Rolls(made with brown rice) and my little sister even ordered some Grilled Salmon cus she said it looked pretty.


I normally don't order anything extra but i'm so glad i did. The Chowder was creamy, sweet and crunchy all at once. Anyone thats familiar with Mexican Atole or Champurrado will find this to their liking. The Corn was still crisp and the Lotus Root was almost like biting into little chunks of apple. Definetely mesmerizing.


The Big Macro was admirable also. Very beautifully cut in the middle to showcase all of its nutritous filling and the airy, fluffy, fresh baked Whole Wheat Bun. The burger itself is pretty much impossible to eat without it totally falling apart, but that just gave me more remnants to eat after i was done with it. The patty tasted like some sort of Brown Rice Tahdig and the soy cheese actually tasted cheesy. I even ate the pickles.


My dad's rolls were ok, but still had that pre-made taste. My sister's Grilled Salmon was just grilled Salmon. Maybe i would of liked it better if it was hot. I wasn't about to throw it away though, so i ended up eating more than half of it. At the end of the meal, my dad actually wanted a dessert too! So even after all that, we ended getting a $6.00 tiny slice of "cheesecake". Since i'm still in my "fear of growing any taller than i already am" phase, i don't really eat that much Dairy. So i was really looking forward to this. But unfortunately, this was very, very disappointing. Guilty Vegan desserts just don't have that decadent richness that the real thing has. All the mock desserts that i've tasted everywhere taste like some sort of sweetened chunk of condensed soy. The only thing i found that has been truly good are the brownies and shakes at Orean's, But that's one little tiny set back and isnt going to stop me from loving this place. I mean in what other situation can you buy a Chocolate Chip Cookie and eat it the next day for breakfast and not feel guilty?


I never thought it was possible but...i can eat this everyday.

7119 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA. 90046
T: 323.525.0588
F: 323.525.0310