Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill: My First Omakase

There is something to be said about visiting a city where your older brother lived at for seven years. It makes things a little bit less overwhelming to know that there are a few people around who are just a degree closer than a complete stranger. It also helps if those friends also happen to work at Blue Ribbon Sushi, one of the few New York established Sushi slinging counterparts of the Blue Ribbon restaurant family.


Blue Ribbon: Distinction

A newcomer to foodblogging scene, Teresa would be the girl to know in this unknown food megalopolis, my brother was right. After a couple of random FB messages, we had decided to go the Sushi and Grill outpost, one of their more snazzier joints located right in front of A train Columbus Circle stop, atop the 6 Hotel. Would of been optimal walking distance in the relentless blizzard outside, but of course, the train that I was in overheated and broke down one stop before. But for the meal that followed, I wouldn't of minded walking in the strongest of flurries all the way across town...

We started off with one of their Namazake's that still in their tasting room floor, Harushika Shiboribana.



Harushika Shiboribana: Bold

A Namazake is a certain type of "live" Sake that is only brewed seasonally and is not been heated past 65C, thus, 'unpasteurized'. Its usually drank in its younger state, and the taste is a little more brash and dry around the edges, kind of requiring of small sips only. However, this one proved to be quite fruity, nonetheless a little more viscous with an acquired thickness probably due to the umami content in the liquid itself. This one has not yet made it to the menu but there are four more in stock from the $9-$12 range.



After this, the chef had sent out a sample of his Amaebe Sashimi ($17.50), Maine Sweet Shrimp with a light Wasabi Yuzu. Delightfully creamy without the sinewy chew of raw shrimp I've had before, he fried the heads, whole and they served as decapitated crispy chips to go elevate the experience even more.


Ankimo: Foie Gras of The Sea?

Shortly after, a few generously thick, silver dollar sized slices of compounded monkfish offal known as Ankimo($13.75) showed up. Apparently, she 'always has to have it' every time she eats here, and I could see why. What Foie Gras would taste like if Trader Joes ever made a "reduced fat" seafood variety, I preferred the mild, liver-y luxuriousness of it actually. Maybe since the last time I was served the duck stuff , I was nearly induced to a lipid induced seizure with a full 2 oz of it...

After the fist dishes, I knew that if there was ever a time to splurge in my short stay in NYC...it was going to be here.

We had decided on the Sashimi-only Omakase; Toshi's Choice ($80 per person here)


Yaki Hama: Baked Oysters w/ Miso Butter

The Panko topping soaked in the butter and ponzu beautifully, nice buttery crunch to contrast the chewy oyster.

Then came what Teresa explained to be "very Blue Ribbon", two platters of artistically presented bounty:


Sashimi, Mushi and Karai of Ise Ebi: How Much Lobster Can You Handle?

In awe of the presentation, I dug right in the raw lobster flesh. The sinewy meat snaps at the slippery bite, almost like a tendon. A texture I am slowly getting used to as this is only the third time I have it. I enjoyed more the set rolls of the cooked stuff with the foundation of rice.

But I was then completely swooped off my feet with the presentation of their Omakase:


Behold: Blue Ribbon Omakase

From bottom to up:
Noresore--Baby Sea Eel (Shooter in a Ponzu Dashi; Kyushu, Japan)
Binnaga--Albacore (behind cup; Pacific Ocean)
Hotaru Ika--Reef Squid (Lemon Shell drizzled with Mustard ; Setouchi, Japan)
Oshinko--Assorted Pickles (Kyuri Cucumbers, Japanese Squash)
Masu--Tasmanian Sea Trout(Next to Cucumbers; Australia)
Chu Toro--Medium Fat Blue Fin Tuna Belly (Light Pink; Japan)
Shime Saba--Wild Mackarel (Silver Skinned, Crimson Meat; Kyushu, Japan)
Sujiko--Marinated Fresh Salmon Roe (House Cured w/ Soy; Canada)
Uni--Sea Urchin (Pacific Ocean)
Kamasu Sashimi--Torch Seared Barracuda (Last; Japan)

The soy sauce that is issued with the Sashimi is an aged one, as thick as blood and as dark as opaque paint; all the better to complement everything all these rich fishy's.


The Money Shot: Working The Angles Baby

Suffice to say, I was Omega-3'd the hell out and blown away by the distinctness amongst each fish, especially compared to recent Sushi expeditions. I know this because I was not able to plow through everything like I usually do, a new kind of richness I've never encountered before.

But we all know that there is ALWAYS room for dessert.


Ginger Bread Pudding w/ Butterscotch Sauce and Ginger Ice Cream

Another one of Teresa's "must haves", surprisingly light I must say.


Chocolate Bruno w/ Green Tea Ice Cream: My Finale

Reminiscing about it now, I think this is my first ever REAL sashimi experience ever and worth every single penny.

And, NO, this was not a fucken PR meal...

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill
308 West 58th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 397-0404

www.blueribbonrestaurants.com

Not What You'd Think: On Dal 2

Your hands, tainted with this unforgettable funk of the sweet--but burdensome--struggle. Your clothes, poka-dotted with these little specks of that deep, thick, uncongealed liquid. Your mouth, still chewing over the offal remains after sucking at the carcass....relax, i haven't stooped that low yet, this was only my hot pot Spicy Crab Soup yesterday at On Dal 2, and it was only the beginning...

The special here is the Crab Soup. They have other things, such as fish soups, prawn soups but the waiter won't let you order them so don't even bother (at first I chose the fish, but the waiter insisted otherwise). Don't let their curt service turn you off though, they only want the best for you. Looks can be highly deceiving when you are eating here but trust, I think you will be pleasantly surprised

Start off with the order of their tea. At first sip, you might think they brewed it in the same pot they use to make coffee or something. But actually, that faint nutty, butteryness is derived from the corn used to make this tea. Corn Tea was a byproduct of Koreans boiling their own water with corn kernels to make it potable, since their was not any filtered water available back then in South Korea.

You might not even want to touch half the Banchan (korean side dishes) that comes with the meal: that measly plate with what looks like pre-packaged salad mix with orange goop on it, those raw pieces of crab smothered with full-bodied, crimson colored, fermented tofu sauce, the marinated Jellyfish, those slices of raw sweet potato, the candied seaweed, that long, snake-like fish thing (whole grilled pike that is imported from Japan). But if you decide to venture into the unknown: savoring the citrusy pureed mixed fruit used as that dressing (orange goop), digging out the sashimi-like, soft flesh of the crab and tasting only a little of that powerful sauce at a time (raw crab salad), chewing and popping the unique texture of that jellyfish, noticing that that fish-thing actually doesn't taste that fishy at all, and mixing in some of that crunchy candied seaweed...you might experience some sort of Korean crab-induced unami experience.

At least I did, over and over and over. See, just when you think its over, finishing up the last piece of their crab egg intensive crabcake, and the last strand of the slightly mature bean sprout (its edible raw, but gets tender after boiling), next comes the house-made pasta course. Some more of that wondrous broth, a couple of slivers of zucchini and onion, and these little pieces of perfectly al-dente pieces of pasta that the lady tears off herself from a piece of dough that she is weaving in front of you. But pace yourself still...

After this, comes the Fried Rice course. Yup....a big bowl of stachy, creamy rice that s combined with whatever is left of the hot pot and the leftover Panchan, All skillfully stir-fried with a bit roasted soybean powder, edible chrysanthemum leaves, and a dash of sesame oil to change it up a bit.

But wait, that's not all...you gotta have some sort of palate cleanser, some type of digestive aid to keep that profound funk of the sea from lingering for days on end. In this case, it is their family's recipe for sikhae, a refreshing drink made from rice and a bunch of other stuff that served ice cold.

Just try to leave here feeling like a water balloon...

On Dal 2
(cant find the address) but...
2-3 blocks east from Washington and La Brea

Just Good for The Soul: Soul Vegetarian

Just Good For The Soul

A Pot Roast with all the fixins'--Corn Bread, Coleslaw, Collard Greens, Candied Yams, Mac & Cheese--sounds comforting right? How about knowing that its all kosher, vegan and organic?

Yup, that pot roast swiftly becomes a Vegan Roast, baked tender and served with its own dark, full-flavored juices and anything else you’re fancying: their creamy, colorful version of Coleslaw, and an even creamier translation of Mac & Cheese, some spicy, sweet agave-sweetened Candied Yams…even some good ‘ol Black Eyed Peas. And man, I’ll tell you something about that Corn Bread, its the stuff that makes you swoon and immediately want to order more (at least I did), seriously, straight out of the oven, steaming, gold and crisp on the outside, soft and fragile on the inside, and of course, with a dollop of soy butter all to smear it with.

You wouldn’t expect of such a place looking from the outside, but once you walk in, past the green façade, the cool, jazzy tones…it suddenly feels different, like some sort of restaurant induced loungy feeling. And your intuition is right, on Wednesday nights they host just that, becoming into a Global Soul Café.

They also serve breakfast with the usual stacks, grits and biscuits, but of course, made with love. There’s even a Bean Curd Salad for lunch.

Soul Vegetarian serves food for a cause, to rightfully regenerate our bleary bodies while respecting all forms of life no matter what. And with food as pleasing as this, I don’t think the food will be the only thing doing the pleasing anymore.

Soul Vegetarian
4067 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca
90019

And also on Hollywood Farmers Market every Sunday. (Sunset and Ivar, 8AM-1PM)

Just What the Tonic Bar Guy Ordered...

Don't know what's been happening to my weekends lately. The punk/gig scene ceased to exist, don't feel (didn't ever) like "nozzing" it up at dance parties, and all my friends ever do is....well, fall deeper into the "East L.A Trap". So, I haven't really gone out, at all anymore. And staying home--whether because of 14 unit homework or because there isn't that much really to do without a car--tends to make you feel kind of bummed out. When the rest of the world is out partying and "enjoying their life", you're home "wasting" yours.

And this last Saturday, I just could'nt take it anymore and just walked out. And 2 hours and 3 busrides later, I somehow ended up at Erewhon's Tonic Bar with the bartender splitting around 6-10 different powder pills and dropping 4-5 droplets of different extracts.

"It's mostly Reishi mushroom" he advised, "it will help you".

10 minutes later I felt...good, not mad at myself, not anxious about nothing like I usually am, just good-a rarity indeed.

I was even able to meditate while my neighbors birthday party repeatedly blasted "Hey Bay Bay".

thank you tonic bar guy...

Erewhon Natural Foods
7660 Beverly Blvd # A,
Los Angeles, CA
90036

In the Midst of Chaos (and still making every meal count!)

Everyone always associates college with an excuse to eat corporate mush, but I beg to differ. Just because you go to college does NOT mean you have to eat the same old food, every single day or not eat at all. In my refusal to be a creature of habit, I strive to stay somewhat adventurous throught my burden: preparing breakfast's the nights before, getting up illogically early to be packing rather gourmet sandwiches, and going out as much as I can humanly afford. If anyone does read this, please accept my apology for the lack of maintenance lately.

Anyways, here a couple of new places that i've sacrificed for in trying:

1) Soul Vegetarian
Strips of tender Pot Roast smothered in a dark savory gravy, crispy crab cakes that are still soft on the inside and--of course-- served with all the fixings; buttery, golden cornbread with a dallop of butter all to smear it with, mashed sweet potatoes spicy enough to catch your attention, creamy coleslaw and an even creamier mac & cheese. All vegan! Yes, even that Pineapple Upside Down Cake!
(thanks Brent)

Soul Vegetarian
4067 W. Pico Blvd (corner of Norton)
Los Angeles CA
(323) 734-4037

2) Shaab Restaurant
By far, the best value in pasadena you can get, seriously. Japanese shabu-shabu, perfected. Be itSeafood (Salmon, Squid, Clams, Mussels) or Beef, whatever you fancy, with plenty of veggies and a duet of noodles (udon and glass) and 8-10 little bowlfuls of that wondrous spicy miso broth (make sure to ask for it) for under $10! It's hard to believe it's actually in Old Town Pasadena where just next to door you would pay 4 times as much for a similar meal. Thank You Shaab, thank you.

Shaab Restaurant
77 N. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91003
(626)683-1150

2 Mother's Day's, 2 Feast's: Cielito Lindo and Doughboys Bakery

Mother's Day, a day of love, appreciation, but most of all...food. This is in fact, one of the busiest day's for the foodservice industry finally giving mother's world wide a break. And since i'm Mexican, it's just not the usual May 13th Mother's Day, it's also the May 8th Dia De Las Madres. So twice the rational feasting!

1st Dia De Las Madres: Cielito Lindo Restaurant

It really is a shame you can't have everything in life. Where you'll have World Class, Grammy-Winning Music (Mariachi Sol De Mexico) reconstructing Mariachi harmonies and unison, you will also have dry, pasty beans, unusually red restaurant rice and a myriad of overcooked proteins. The $10 Guac. and Clove, spiked complimentary salsa will have to suffice. Go for the show, not the food.

Cielito Lindo
1612 Santa Anita Ave
South El Monte, CA
91733-3410
Phone: (626) 442-1254

2nd Mother's Day: Doughboys Bakery

Brunch, on the Westside, on a weekend morning really does showcase what L.A has gotten to be like: hundreds of hung-over, hued hipsters waiting eagerly for a table. This day, Doughboy's was an exception though, unlike Griddle's or Toasts infinite waits, Doughboy's was less than a quarter of that, and that was all 6 of us. Everything is baked on premises and they don't ever mess up on any of their cakes-griddle, pan, red velvet-they're all moist, tender and satisfying. Be it the healthier than thou' Blueberry-Flax-Multigrain Griddle Cakes or those noticeably tangy Buttermilk Pancakes.

Doughboys Bakery
8136 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA
90048
323 651-1844

How food Saved (or Ruined?) My Life: Finding my Happy Spot at Mani's

Calories...there i said it.

Something we're all too familiar with. The unfathomable part of food. A foodies natural born enemy, superfluous to many (including me), but sadly...crucial in the long run. No matter how hard we try to ignore them, their there, pillaging your conscience like...well, me on Chocolate cake-Vegan German Chocolate Cake to be exact.

A recent study showed that...According to....A more recent study done by researchers found out that food is _________. Lately, food has been more of a stress to me than a passion. Sometimes it drives me insane thinking about the food i eat, what, where, and how much? Trying to balance everything in order to feel good and thinking twice about doing this as a career. So naturally, i've fostered a fancy for "guilt-free" food: natural, macrobiotic, and even vegan food. I still ain't one of them though!
It's just a little salvation from my damnation.

I know i'm not the only one like this, so when you need a little relief, just a little comfort or just feel like eating al moist, creamy tri-layered German Chocolate Cake chock-full of pecans and gooey caramel...go ahead...do it. Not into coconut (don't know how that's possible) you say? How about a slice of Strawberry Shortcake? A Blueberry Turnover Perhaps? Whatever your gratification is, Mani's lets you indulge, without driving yourself crazy thinking about it. They sweeten all their desserts and pastries solely with natural sweetners:concentrated fruit juice, maple, agave and no they don't taste like cardboard. Their breakfast's are also pretty good, but their lunch/dinner menu...not so much. But then again they are a bakery and not a restaurant so it's ok.

A dessert place, something that L.A desperatelyneeds. It's still not as good Moby's Teany in N.Y's Chocolate Macaroon Cake, my background on my desktop is set to to that, but this is damn well close.

Mani's Bakery
Los Angeles
519 S. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 938-8800

BLD, Urth Cafe and Life

"Hemp-Seed Crusted Tofu with the Olive Oil and Thyme braised Fingerlings, Garlic Rapini with the Red Wine Sauce please". As for life, i think "i'll need a little while longer", i hope.

Self-Contstruced Dinner option from BLD....Just like my life. Where i have a choice of what protein i want, i have a choice of what major i want. Where i have a choice of what two sides i want, i have a choice of what other classes i i'm going to take. And where i have a choice of what sauce to cover it all, i have a choice of where i want to go. Well,it seems like it has finally hit me-i'm a senior, about to enter the "real life", and i still don't know what i'm going to do.

Fortunately, i have help, such as those who are responsible for this enchanting night(you have no idea you guys have helped me out, seriously). I only hope that whatever i end up doing, it makes me happy just like my dinner did. I'm no vegan, just conscious of stuff, that's all. And this dish will certainly break stereotypes that tofu has gotten. Three thick cutlets, with it's crispy crust of what would of probably ended up getting me high if i never left Garfield H.S.(Hemp=Bud), and it's soft, moist almost fish-like flesh. The starch, veggies and sauce were alright, but next time i'll try some of their other options.

And what way to make this night even better? Going somewhere else for dessert and actually keeping up with my new years resolution(read earlier posts). Urth Cafe to be more specific, somewhere that hasn't gotten written up that much yet. Cheering myself up with a big slice of their Chocolate Heaven Vegan Cake, to have the full effects of the comforting catechins (chocolate anti-oxidants proven to make you feel better) and rounding it out with a side of some fresh whipped cream to let me know that i'm not a hippy.

Like i said earlier, this is what i want to do in life, i just don't know how to get payed for doing it.

BLD
7450 Beverly Blvd (Cross Street: Gardner Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 930-9744


Urth Cafe
267 S. Beverly Drive,
Los Angeles, CA 90212
(310) 205-9311,

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

French...Finally! Monsieur Marcel Restaurant & Wine Bar

I finally had Coq Au Vin!


You would think that with my obsession with food, i would have had tasted authentic French food by now right? After all, it does set the standard. Well no, since french food tends to be pretty pricey, i've never had the pleasure of having real French Food until now. Thanx Starla!


Authentic French Fare but without the Fine Dining aspect. Since it's located in The Farmers Market, it's probably the only good French Place in L.A where you could eat, without breaking the bank.


The food was just what we needed for the nippy, freezing weather that we have been experiencing lately.
We started off with a hot, steaming bowl of rich Fondue with a big bowl of little cubes of fresh baguette. Cheesy not soupy, with the familiar taste of liquor taming the richness in the end. The cheesy threads that stuck to the bread when you took it out was the size of a football field.


For my main course, i had to try the famed Coq Au Vin that i had only read about, never thinking i was going to experience it anytime soon. This is a typical meal that you would find cooking in an old french village. It was what Frijoles con Tortillas are to Mexicans. The meat was so tender, it felt like it had been cooking all day. When the Red Wine reduction intertwined with the Scalloped Potatoes, it was something truly amazing. Nice wholesome food to keep me warm for the whole winter.


The Chocolate Mousse deserves an honorable mention also. Chunky and chocolaty where so many have come up too sweet and too light.


Truly Winter Food if there were ever any.

Farmers Market
3rd and Fairfax

Tangy yogurt this, Guilt-Free That...

...Pinkberry.


This seems to be the trend right now. I'll admit, afer reading everyone rave about it. I was dying to try it. I mean it had everything that i love: kind of health foodish but without sacrificing too much flavor.(no added sugar, coconut and Carob Chips available!!). Yesterday i couldn't take it no more and somehow convinced my dad to drive halfways around town for it! Since East Los doesn't seem to be "adequate" for a pinkberry location(eventhough their opening one just about everywhere else!!)


For almost 9:00 PM on a Monday, The K-Town Pinkberry looked more like some sort of club or party than a Frozen Yogurt Parlor. If you closed your eyes, the sound of the rambunctious techno beats and the chattering of young hipsters combined would make you think you were in some sort of rave.


I went in hopes of trying their green tea flavored yogurt but when i saw that they charged a dollar more, settled for the unappealing "plain". I'd rather get a medium with 3 toppings then a small green tea with none. They had some pretty good topping options. Of course i got coconut, carob chip and since i didn't really want nothing else, thought i should be getting some sort of "berry" so got blackberries.


But hey wait a minute, after a couple of spoonfulls, i noticed that the middle was completely hollow!!! They swirled it completely around and only made it seem like it was overflowing with everything and you got what you payed for! If it wasn't for the toppings, i would of been really dissapointed. The yogurt itself did have that "tangy" taste that everyone was talking about but i didn't think it was that great. Just think frozen yogurt, literally. I was done with it faster than a mexican kid eating a boli on a hot summer day! And once you finish this, all you want is more, more more! Even if you did get a large.


Boy, did they get me.
Think, the starbucks thing but with yogurt.


Someone out there is making lots and lots of money off this stuff

Pinkberry
3300 W 6th St
Los Angeles,
CA 90020