Don't we all wish every restaurant experience could be like the ones in the movie's or T.V? You know...no waiting for any tables, the stereotypical chef personally coming out with the dish offering you his creation as if he made it specially for you, murmuring "bon appétit!" Well maybe not all the time but once in a while would be great right?
Elf Cafe just might be that experience, but modernized and not as cheesy as I just made it sound.
You might miss it if you're walking too fast though, the spot wouldn't be able to host your birthday party since the maximum occupancy is probably 14-16 iffff that much. But they do make some decent eats. The menu is Middle Eastern, strictly vegetarian with only organic, sustainable and locally grown products of course. But the food truly stands out from the rest of the crowd.
An ambrosial Moroccan Tagine served with some of that piquant, pungeant Harissa Paste and thousands of al dente cous-cous granules nearly serenating me with it's aroma and flavor, integrated with summery squashes, eggplants, carrots and some more of those irresistable cinammon dusted almonds that are in every table. I think their 4 varieties Baked tarts are the specialty though, that along with their RAW Middle Eastern Platter. Another adventure for another day as I always say....
I actually feel some hospitality here.
Elf Cafe
2135 Sunset Blvd.
Echo Park, CA
(213) 484 6829
Wednesday-Sunday 6PM-11PM
(just thought you should know)
Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
It's not you, It's Me: My Graduation Dinner at Ciudad
Like I said earlier, I just don't see the point of going out for Mexican Food, I mean, that's what I was raised on (and still am)but, when I go out...I want to try something different, you get me?
Based on their online menu and their ingredients, Ciudad looked pretty appetizing, of course disreguarding their $$$ prices: all seasonal, organic food, A Goat Milk Flan... sounded pretty different. And I did want to check it out eventually, but not for my actual graduation dinner; All 8 of us (little sister, nieces, and a nephew included)
The Flamenco band covering Police songs, the dim lighting, the loud Acoustics drowning/cancelling everyone out and the uncomfortable chairs hinting us to hurry up and leave-this was the type of place you came to chillax with someone else, not eat with your entire family.
The Baked Flatbreads was a grand start, kind of like savory Bunuelos. One studded with Poppy, Flax and Sesame seeds and the other scented with spices such as cumin and cayenne-both served with an olive tapenade and a hummus-y dip. But that, along with that unique Flan that called me here, was about all that really stood out.
The Flan was something else though, so rich, so creamy, so nutty-thanks to that ubiquitous goat milk with a good burnt flavor. And i usually can't stand Flan. But my $25 Colomo De Cabri entree, a Colombian dish of rum-steeped, curried mutton with Coconut Rice and Mashed Garlic Yuca sounded a lot better than it was. Think, a sweet type of Birria. The Coconut Rice was oddly rich though, probably due to the higher fat in it than butter. And I couldn't tell whether the Mashed Yuca was supposed to be pasty since it was my first time trying it. The other items ordered were not anything that great neither.
I did kind of exagerate on the degree of me wanting to come here though, so I brought it upon myself. I don't regret coming, but just wish it was not with so many people!
When it all boils down, it still has that "Mexican-esque" type of flavor for me, as stupid as that might sound. I did appreciate the complimentary slice of flan with the candle for me. Who am I kidding...environmentally conscious, organic food? I'm willing to come again, if the oppurtunity ever arises. After all, every restaurant has their day, or meal.
Ciudad
445 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 486-5171
(213) 486-5172 fax
Based on their online menu and their ingredients, Ciudad looked pretty appetizing, of course disreguarding their $$$ prices: all seasonal, organic food, A Goat Milk Flan... sounded pretty different. And I did want to check it out eventually, but not for my actual graduation dinner; All 8 of us (little sister, nieces, and a nephew included)
The Flamenco band covering Police songs, the dim lighting, the loud Acoustics drowning/cancelling everyone out and the uncomfortable chairs hinting us to hurry up and leave-this was the type of place you came to chillax with someone else, not eat with your entire family.
The Baked Flatbreads was a grand start, kind of like savory Bunuelos. One studded with Poppy, Flax and Sesame seeds and the other scented with spices such as cumin and cayenne-both served with an olive tapenade and a hummus-y dip. But that, along with that unique Flan that called me here, was about all that really stood out.
The Flan was something else though, so rich, so creamy, so nutty-thanks to that ubiquitous goat milk with a good burnt flavor. And i usually can't stand Flan. But my $25 Colomo De Cabri entree, a Colombian dish of rum-steeped, curried mutton with Coconut Rice and Mashed Garlic Yuca sounded a lot better than it was. Think, a sweet type of Birria. The Coconut Rice was oddly rich though, probably due to the higher fat in it than butter. And I couldn't tell whether the Mashed Yuca was supposed to be pasty since it was my first time trying it. The other items ordered were not anything that great neither.
I did kind of exagerate on the degree of me wanting to come here though, so I brought it upon myself. I don't regret coming, but just wish it was not with so many people!
When it all boils down, it still has that "Mexican-esque" type of flavor for me, as stupid as that might sound. I did appreciate the complimentary slice of flan with the candle for me. Who am I kidding...environmentally conscious, organic food? I'm willing to come again, if the oppurtunity ever arises. After all, every restaurant has their day, or meal.
Ciudad
445 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 486-5171
(213) 486-5172 fax
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Straying from "the usual": Thaitalian and the Alcove Cafe
Thai and Italian, how does that work you say?
Very Nice Actually
As for the latter...not so much unfortunately.
I understand how it can be hard to stray from your "usuals" every once in a while, sometimes we need some security in our lives. But there are so many great options out there, but along with those oppurtunities come great risks. Sometimes the oppurtunity cost is great as in Thaitalian in Pasadena, but more often, it is dissapointing as in the Alcove. (I usually don't thrash on places or write about bad experiences since stuff happens sometimes but just to prove a point...)
Thaitalian...man, a Squid Ink Risotto with a Thai Basil Seafood Stir-fry, a tart, authentically fish-y Tom Yum soup packed with cubed veggies. This was just one of those meals, the creamy, pallid pitch-black Risotto actually Al Dente, circling around tender mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, scallops hell....i even swear their was one of those chewy "veggie shrimp" that they serve at those vegetarian chinese places. With my new veneration for bivalves, probably my new current "favorite dish" at the moment. They also have curry Pasta, Pizza and Mozzarella Egg Rolls if you're into that sort of thing.
Alcove on the other hand...*sigh*. I was dissapointed with this place, it was good....but just not as good as i expected. It sounded so promising. Don't get me wrong, i'm willing to come back and get their juicy Lamb Burger again with a cup of their Immortal Tea blend but maybe I'll go somewhere else for dessert, somewhere where they actually bake their Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons on premises. A cool place to hang out for wine, coffee, tea and conversing though.
Thaitalian
49 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91105
626-585-8808
The Alcove Cafe
1929 Hillhurst Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-0100
Very Nice Actually
As for the latter...not so much unfortunately.
I understand how it can be hard to stray from your "usuals" every once in a while, sometimes we need some security in our lives. But there are so many great options out there, but along with those oppurtunities come great risks. Sometimes the oppurtunity cost is great as in Thaitalian in Pasadena, but more often, it is dissapointing as in the Alcove. (I usually don't thrash on places or write about bad experiences since stuff happens sometimes but just to prove a point...)
Thaitalian...man, a Squid Ink Risotto with a Thai Basil Seafood Stir-fry, a tart, authentically fish-y Tom Yum soup packed with cubed veggies. This was just one of those meals, the creamy, pallid pitch-black Risotto actually Al Dente, circling around tender mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, scallops hell....i even swear their was one of those chewy "veggie shrimp" that they serve at those vegetarian chinese places. With my new veneration for bivalves, probably my new current "favorite dish" at the moment. They also have curry Pasta, Pizza and Mozzarella Egg Rolls if you're into that sort of thing.
Alcove on the other hand...*sigh*. I was dissapointed with this place, it was good....but just not as good as i expected. It sounded so promising. Don't get me wrong, i'm willing to come back and get their juicy Lamb Burger again with a cup of their Immortal Tea blend but maybe I'll go somewhere else for dessert, somewhere where they actually bake their Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons on premises. A cool place to hang out for wine, coffee, tea and conversing though.
Thaitalian
49 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91105
626-585-8808
The Alcove Cafe
1929 Hillhurst Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-0100
Monday, June 04, 2007
Justifying my Alias: The Taste Of Alhambra
Alot of people don't really realize what my blogname is supposed to mean, "Glut-ster", as in Gluttony...not Hipster. And yesterday, boy did i live up that!
35+ Food and Wine Vendors, in one event, all ready for my consumption (and opinion). For the first time in a really long time, I was actually excited about something. Yeah, they were mostly all "Main St." Restaurants which have gotten a bad rep. for being mediocrity traps, but you can't have everything in life. And I don't think you're going to be able to eat flourescent yellow Paella Valenciana (Guitarras Rest.), followed by damn good Collard Greens and Candied Yams (Angelenas), chased down with as much....yeah, as you want anywhere else.
At first I was in a state of dumbfoundment-so much food, i couln't believe it. But sooner than i knew it, I had already sampled every little thing available and was looking for any seconds that were worthy of my calories. The winner...Angelenas. Their one of those places that you always walk by on your way to anywhere but never actually stop, only to find out what you've been missing. Buttery Spiced Candied Yams and Collard Greens, both with a touch of Molasses and an actual Peach Cobbler that actually did give me feelings of "slapping my mama". One of the best dessert's i've had...ever...seriosly.
Angelenas Southern Cuisine
33 W Main St
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 284-7685
35+ Food and Wine Vendors, in one event, all ready for my consumption (and opinion). For the first time in a really long time, I was actually excited about something. Yeah, they were mostly all "Main St." Restaurants which have gotten a bad rep. for being mediocrity traps, but you can't have everything in life. And I don't think you're going to be able to eat flourescent yellow Paella Valenciana (Guitarras Rest.), followed by damn good Collard Greens and Candied Yams (Angelenas), chased down with as much....yeah, as you want anywhere else.
At first I was in a state of dumbfoundment-so much food, i couln't believe it. But sooner than i knew it, I had already sampled every little thing available and was looking for any seconds that were worthy of my calories. The winner...Angelenas. Their one of those places that you always walk by on your way to anywhere but never actually stop, only to find out what you've been missing. Buttery Spiced Candied Yams and Collard Greens, both with a touch of Molasses and an actual Peach Cobbler that actually did give me feelings of "slapping my mama". One of the best dessert's i've had...ever...seriosly.
Angelenas Southern Cuisine
33 W Main St
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 284-7685
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