Amara Chocolate - Old Town Pasadena

August 28, 2016

I've been to Amaras a while ago before they started to serve food. Just located conveniently off the Fair Oaks parking structure on Green Street and Raymond, you really don't need to travel far after parking. It's not everyday you find a cafe that serves Venezuelan food. The menu has a lot of exciting unique offerings like Arepas and Cachapas.

I started with one of their signature lattes, the Cacao. This was 61% dark chocolate, served over ice but you can just imagine how thick and creamy this was. Extremely rich in flavor and mellows throughout your meal as the ice melts. They also carry lemonades which they sweetened with agave syrup.

The Pabellon includes shredded beef, white cheese, black beans and sweet plantains. Salsa verde of the side served with mixed greens. The arepas is grilled white corn flatbread cut open and stuffed. Really tasty and filling from the beans and plantains. I loved how crispy the arepa was even after soaking up the salsa verde.

Grilled housemade yellow corn crepes with basil pesto sauce, Italian Burrata, Spanish Chorizo, roasted tomatoes, prosciutto, salame and olive oil. The cachapas had little corn kernels running through the batter. Loved the burrata and the different types of cured meats.

Lunch was ended with some Spanish churros. These Spanish churros were eggs and dairy free. We received the Ice Cream Churros which comes with 6 ribbon shaped churros topped with a chocolate chip vanilla ice cream with a side of chocolate sauce. What's not to love about indulging in delicious sweets?

Make sure to check them out when you are in the area:

55 S Raymond Ave
Pasadena, CA 91105

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10e Restaurant - DTLA

August 24, 2016

10e is located on 7th and Flower conveniently right off the exit from the metro red line. The restaurant carries a diverse menu of authentic Armenian cuisine with modern Mediterranean influences. The space is spacious with tall ceilings with beautiful molding. It's not everyday that I eat a meal dedicated to this cuisine, so I am excited to share the items I tried.

Here were some cocktails that were available when we arrived. I liked the Spicy Crush. Very refreshing even after a long night of drinks with friends. They also carry a pretty tasty ginger beer so I would also recommend their Detox Retox.

Hummus with pomegranate seeds and roasted eggplants.

Some of the other items you see are Jalapeno topped Hummus which is made with chick peas, tahini, and lemon, aleppo peppers, and extra virgin olive oil. Beef Fried Kibbeh- Ground beef meat balls stuffed with pine nuts, served with a touch of garlic yogurt. Cauliflower topped Hummus - Creamy house made hummus (chick peas, tahini, and lemon), aleppo peppers, extra virgin olive oil and Fire Roasted Cauliflower. Muhamara. Roasted red pepper and walnuts with pomegranate molassesdip.

This deep fried Falafels was my favorite. Chick Pea, Fava bean, and Tahini served with house made pickles. I could eat more than one even though I shouldn't.

Taramosalata Tartar. Smoked Salmon, Caviar, Avocado, Beetroot Sauce served with flatbread.

Beet Salad with Filet Mignon. Golden & Red Beets, Arugula ,Fennel, Radicchio, Walnuts, White Balsamic Lemon Vinaigrette. I actually really liked the salad, The filet mignon was also flavorful and tender.

Beef Lula Kabob with Cherry Reduction sauce. Made with organic grass fed beef. This was served aside with buttery rice with vermicelli topped with slivered almonds. Will order this again.

Desert Medley. House made chocolate bar with caramel sauce and creme fresh with a side of baklava bites. The baklava was definitely a popular item.

811 W 7th St Los Angeles, CA 90017

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Katsuya - Glendale

August 23, 2016

John's mom took us here for a quick birthday lunch. We were at the Americana to take her shopping and she decided to might as well take me to a belated birthday meal. I've only been to Katsuya for Happy Hour which was pretty fun. All Happy Hours should be fun. If it's not fun, the truth is probably you aren't a fun person. Just saying...

For $19, you can order their sushi lunch

Sushi top to bottom: tuna, yellowtail, salmon, albacore, shrimp, scallop, and unagi

You get 7 pieces of sushi, a spicy tuna handroll, and a freaking 10 piece California cut roll. Everything was pretty good and definitely worth the $19 lunch deal.

You just have to make sure to eat the handroll first, or the Nori will start to moisten and turns chewy.

We also ordered a Spider Roll to share:

I didn't mention that we all ordered our own sushi lunch special. It was more than enough. We had trouble to finish our spider roll and California rolls. There's normally no wait to be seated which was also a reason for us to check it out. Outdoor seating is preferred though I haven't sat inside before.

Enjoy.

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National Rootbeer Float day - The Counter

August 16, 2016

When I think of Root Beer, I think of A&W with a big scoop of Dreyers. Root beer floats was kind of a normal thing we would have at our household growing up. I'm pretty surprised we had it as often as we did. But of course everything was cheaper back then. So when I found out that The Counter was giving away free floats per entree, I was settled for dinner. We were meeting up with a friend who also wanted burgers. The coincidence right?

You know, I want life to be fries and crispy onions. Unlimited. Ok and maybe with unlimited burgers and dipping sauces. Think about it, it really isn't that much I'm asking for.

My custom made burger is a concoction of 1/3 lb of all natural beef, medium. Sliced red onions, alfalfa sprouts, sliced fresh jalapenos, tomatoes, Korean Chili aioli and Garlic aioli. Sandwiched between a Hawaiian bun which has become my new obsession. Cooked to perfection with a deep pink center. Flip the burger around and enjoy upside down for the ultimate mouth explosive satisfaction. I'm telling you. It's a thing.

Washing it all down with this floaty that was served with more root beer on the side.

No better way to end the night. Food coma is real.

Locations: http://www.thecounterburger.com/locations/

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Tacos Ensenada - East Los Angeles

August 15, 2016

A lot of people won't even know where East LA is. To some people, this area may be extremely foreign. And it's true. East LA is known to have crime from time to time so I'm not surprised people don't pick this as their destination. But there are also a lot of love. A lot of families. And a lot of hungry people wanting good food at an affordable price. East LA is heavily populated with Hispanics, but with that said, there are some great mom and pop joints out here that I consider some of my top go-tos. That's when I stumbled upon Tacos Ensenada. And if it wasn't for taking a trip on the Metro Gold Line, this place would probably still be incognito on my radar.

5161 E Pomona Blvd
East Los Angeles, CA 90022

Here were some amazing eats:

Poppy shrimp, citrus from the lime, sharpness of the onions, sweetness of the tomatoes, herbiness of the cilantro, creaminess of the avocado, and the toasty flavors of the tostada. For around $2, why even bother making this at home.

Fish tostada is my favorite ceviche to have. I love the texture of citrus cooked fish. It really infuses the flavor and tastes that much fresher cold with fresh chopped ingredients. Another must order.

Crunchy fresh fish tacos with shredded cabbage, pico, red sauce and crema. Finger licking good so you better chomp on these quick. Large lumps of seafood around $1.75 a pop, and well worth it.

Better than some street carne asada tacos. Meat was juicy, flavorful, and tons of umami in my mouth. I hope it's not lard... but a part of me loves that it might be.

Unlimited condiments. Be mindful, not wasteful.

Total for 1 bottle of coke, 4 fish tacos, 1 shrimp taco, 1 asada taco, and 2 tostadas... $20.ish dollars. Yeah you bet it was good. And guess what? They also accept credit cards, Double that what now.

5161 E Pomona BlvdEast Los Angeles, CA 90022

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Wine & Dine

Amara Chocolate - Old Town Pasadena

10e Restaurant - DTLA

Katsuya - Glendale

National Rootbeer Float day - The Counter

Tacos Ensenada - East Los Angeles