Through the Depths of the SGV and Back

We all know that San Gabriel Valley offers some of the most unique flavors in L.A. Being home to hundreds of places that represent almost all of the eccentric cuisines of Asia, certainly the place to break out from the ordinary(what we think ordinary at least) .

Places like China Bistro, one of those Mcdonald's-turned-restaurants. Most dishes might not sound appealing due to the attempt of the direct translation. Take the unconventional soups of Whole Coconut Black Chicken Soup or Pork Loin with Apricot and Pear Soup, they literally are just that. A whole black chicken encased in a young coconut overflowing with the whole intense, gamy bird- bones, tendons and all. Oh yeah and a supple amount of Goji Berries for all you health freaks. The Pork soup also destinct with only a faint flavor of Pear and a couple of Apricot Seeds.

When dining here remember...different is good, especially in the Lotus Root with Preserved Tofu Sauce. Rose-tinted slices of the crunchy yet tender root vegetable that absorbs the rich, creamy sauce better than your usual potato.

Change...is good.

China Bistro
88310 W. Valley Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 307-9328

Giving in to "blogger pressure"-Mozza, just do it

Google the word Mozza and you could probably write a book about the posts on it. After months of reading and reading and then reading some more about this place i'll admit...i did feel left out. I was probably the only blogger in L.A that hadn't wrote an appraisal about it. If everyone else is doing it, it must be cool right?" Well i'll tell you this much, i went in as cynic as...well, as me and came out like one of those religious zealots that just found god or something.

Wasn't so thrilled about the 7 or so reservation attempts only to find out or the "30 minute wait" that turned out to be nearly an hour and i still don't know what came over my brother to actually drive to Melrose but given all that, it was still worth it. As hectic as it might seem it's actually runs pretty smooth. Complete strangers converse and even share food. Friendly waiters offer breadsticks to those anxiously waiting.

Can't decide between the appetizers? The Eggplant Caponata, studded with pine nuts and some sort of wine, is something that won't dissapoint, not to mention keep you from eating your hand. After your first bite of a pizza at Mozza, you will undoubtedly agree that Nancy Silverton is the "Bread Queen". Flaky, crisp, even in the middle. With charred edges that aren't bitter but smoky. A Wild Nettle Pizza with Sheeps Cheese and Fennel Salami if you're adventerous or a classic Margherita if your traditionalist.

But a meal at Mozza is not a meal without the Butterscotch Budino Pudding. Easily, my favorite dessert at the moment. Light, silky with a pleasant burnt taste. It may not taste sweet enough on your first half-spoonful, but dunk one of the buttery Rosemary, Pinenut Cookies and it goes through a miraculous transformation, thanks to the ingenious savory qualities of the Rosemary and Fleur de Sal.

This is just what L.A needed.

Mozza Pizzeria
www.mozza-la.com

641 N Highland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 866-5300

Typical Teenage Review #2: Burger, Fries and a Shake, well sort of...(Orean's Health Express)

Remember when you (well, most of you) used to be able to eat that ridiculously huge burger, a whole order of fries, and gulp down a whole Chocolate shake without even thinking twice about it? Well...I still can, but i still prefer this place over anywhere else.

It has everything a fast food joint needs: acne-scarred teenage employees, a drive-thru and even an overly angular rooftop.
But this place is not your typical fast food. The Salad Burger looks like something a stoned hippy would make. A huge stack of house-made "Special Sauce", Sprouts, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Pickles and a Black Bean, Sunflower and Wheat berry Patty all stuffed inside Whole Wheat Buns. The Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich is tender--not cardboard--my dad actually confused it as Veal actually, and its as big as a football for all you starving students. Not feeling that? How 'bout an African Burrito? Quesadilla? or perhaps even a Tostada? Don't ask me what makes them "African though...

Whatever you decide on getting, make sure you complete the experience with an order of their Air-Baked Spiced Fries and one of their thick-as-butter Shake, any Shake. trust me, you'll finish it. The burgers might not always be adequately proportioned, or they might take a little longer than that pre-cooked stuff at any other fast food, but i doubt you'll complain.

Oh, and to add to the irony... it's located right across the street from the good 'ol Trifecta Americana: Mcdonald's, KFC, Carls Jr....and Roscoes Chicken And Waffles. Ah, the beautiful...

It might be a bit out of the way, but it's Vegan Fast-Food, East of L.A (sort of) and for that, I'll go anywhere.

Orean Health Express
817 N Lake Ave (Cross Street: Boylston Street)
Pasadena, CA 91104-4561
(626) 794-0861