Anko - Koreatown Los Angeles

My friend Bernadette (@eatlikeabosslady) took us here one night after dinner. Boy am I happy that she did. Shaved ice is not in my wheel house. I haven't tried enough to know what's the best, but I can tell you what I tried here at Anko was delicious.

It was fairly empty when we arrived, but it got packed within an hour or so. I've heard that they changed ownership, but changed the name and the items on the menu. I've also heard that it's better than it was before which is a good thing. We ordered 2 shaved ice to share between 4, and after having a large meal, it was enough.

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This is the black sesame Anko. Shaved tiny ice, with black sesame drizzle, red beans, pine nuts and injeolmi (rice cake). It's served with more red beans on the side with condensed milk. As you dig into this beautiful globe, you will find almonds and more black sesame layered within. It was sweet, refreshing, and very tasty. I love black sesame. It was toasty like how black sesame should be. It wasn't overly sweet. I highly recommend this to you if you are a huge fan of black sesame or just want to try something different.

Strawberry shaved ice. Simple, shaved ice topped with strawberry syrup and more strawberries. Very refreshing and delicious as well. It was hard to jump between the 2 because both were spot on.

Check it out:

400 S Western Ave Los Angeles, CA 90020

Koreatown, Wilshire Center

Cafe Beaujolais - The Birthday Dinner

This post is a little delayed since my birthday was back in July. French cuisine has a big space in my heart when it comes to some of my favorite things to eat. This is my second time dining at Cafe Beaujolais. I fell madly in love the first time I came here and just as much the second time. It's located in the heart of Eagle Rock on Colorado between La Roda Avenue and Mt Royal Drive.

1712 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90041

I don't know much about the history besides it being here for quite some time. They are not just known for their fairly priced dishes, but their hunky European men that work there. And, they pretty much all have accents.

John took me here again since he knew it was my top favorite restaurants. The first thing we ordered were their Escargot. These snails were shelled, and cooked in the most luscious butter garlic parsley sauce known to man. Goes amazing with the bread they offer and dangerous for the body. John dislikes Escargot, but loves the ones they serve here.

We had their special salad of the day which was a prosciutto di parma wrapped frisee.

Dressed in a light vinaigrette with a few cornichons. Sounds simple, but was packed with flavor. I will definitely get this again if it's available.

Steak "Maitre D'Hotel" - Thin cut Girlled Top Sirloin Served with garlic butter and frites. I wished the steak was a New York or Rib Eye, but there was still a lot of flavor from the steak. The garlic butter was soft and melted throughout the steak. Pretty straightforward.

My choice:

Pave De Boeuf Au Porto Et Au Roquefort - Flamed Filet Mignon in Port Sauce and Roquefort Cheese, medium rare. I was nervous to order this. From 1-10 I was probably a 20. I'm not a fan of stinky cheese and hate Gorgonzola and goat cheese (I know). I just can't get passed the flavors. But, I love some bleu like Stilton. This Roquefort cheese was delicious. Has a slight sharp bite, but doesn't taste overly fermented or stinky. It was lovely mixed into the port wine and the filet. This dish just isn't the same without it. Served with a side of potato au gratin and veggies. I recommend this dish.

If you are in the area or just looking for a fantastic, authentic French restaurant, please check out Cafe Beaujolais. It's fantastic. Don't forget to order their specials. They do the traditional coq au vin from time to time.

Casa Chocolate - Mid-City Los Angeles

I know a lot of people that hate LA because of traffic. People who live on the west side would take an our or more just to get to work that's a few miles away. And on the weekends, you are lucky if there isn't any traffic. All native LA residents know what it's like to drive out to Santa Monica, West Hollywood (oh god), Beverly Hills, Culver City, and so on. So when I am actually out towards that area, it gives me an incentive to find a local restaurant to eat.

I had to run some errands one Sunday morning and found a small cafe tucked in a small plaza. It's called Casa Chocolate.

5450 W Pico Blvd, Ste 501 Los Angeles, CA 90019

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I instantly fell in love with their displays. It's simple yet catchy. From the photos of the doors, to the self serving water with lemon and orange slices, to the ketchup, and the array of classic hot sauce and sweeteners.

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They have a huge menu with tons of variety. Prices are also very decent especially for the location. I stuck with their traditional house favorites.

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Ordered 2 cappuccinos. One for John and one for, well, me. Espresso from Groundworks.

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Huevos Rancheros Campesino

Amazing take on the classic dish - 2 farm eggs cooked to your liking, I had mine over easy. Black pinto beans cooked perfectly and not overly starched, everything served over a corn tostada, topped with ranchero sauce, green tomatillo salsa, avocado salsa, sour cream and queso fresca. So flavorful and so delicious. Loved the char onion and serrano on the side. A must order.

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Cholula complimented by Huevos Ranchero

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Ranchero steak omelette. FULL of flavor. The beef was perfectly marinaded, extremely tender, and smokey from the char. Cooked with onions, peppers, and mushrooms, folded inside the egg with monterey jack, ranchero salsa and queso fresco. John ordered this, but I am going to make sure I get dibs on this next time. Served with a side of fruit,  ranchero sauce and green tomatillo.

Enjoy when you are in the area or passing.

Fig at 7th

As we move close to National Cheeseburger day, we should all think about Fig at 7th. I felt like this center has changed so much with so many added additions. I got the opportunity to feast over a few burgers to spotlight some places you should try. 

735 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

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George's Greek

Starting with George's Greek. Greek marinated angus beef topped w/ greens, cucumbers, feta cheese & a garlic herb aioli. Super juicy and flavorful. The feta adds a zippy tang that goes fantastic with the greek seasonings in the patty.

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City Tavern

This is City Tavern's pastrami burger. Extremely luscious with fatty meat and pastrami, melted swiss and a delicious slaw to help the jaw out. Perfectly cooked fries added to this burger for an additional charge, but it's worth it. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium. The bun also held the burger together.

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The Melt

From The Melt, this is their Spicy Mission Burger - Pepper Jack, Jalapeños, Avocado, Romaine, Pickled Onion w/ Spicy Ketchup. The bun also held the burger together really well. It's always scary to have sliced jalapenos. I love them, but they are tricky little creatures. Sometimes they are mild, and sometimes you know you are asking for it. These were spicy! love the heat though.

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The Melt

The classic Original Cheddar Burger - Aged Cheddar, Tomato, Romaine w/ Melt Sauce. Sometimes, you just need a simple cheeseburger to satisfy that burger crabe. Again, great bun, fresh condiments, and a juicy snappy pickle.

Check out Fig at 7th if you haven't already. There are other great burger joints like Five Guys which also carries delicious fries and milkshakes, and Morton's steakhouse that also serves a mean burger. 

735 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Momed - Atwater Village

I'm a firm believer about eating somewhere more than once, and the same goes with sharing it over again. I think one of the best compliments you can give a restaurant is going back again to show your appreciation for the food. Momed is a place that I speak highly of. I've never been to the location in Beverly Hills, but the location in Atwater Village is one that I've been to a few times (still thank my friend John Quintus for the recommendation).

I came here one Sunday in the late afternoon with my best friends after having a few drinks in Atwater Village. Like a pirate, I wailed my hands as I told them about Momed. "It's that way!" - with no slurs of course. For a moment, I was not confident I was headed towards the right direction. Momed is actually tucked away from the main strip in Atwater, but more within the residentials between studios and playhouses.

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They only carry wine and beer which is fine with me. I am very excited at this point. It's also quite lovely that the train passes through next door.

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Grilled artichoke cooked to perfection with a preserved lemon aioli. The artichoke is seasoned lightly with Moroccan spices. All the crispy edges and tender parts towards the heart were literally finger licking good. I felt like I was engulfing the pedals. This is a must order if you are a huge fan of artichokes.

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Oven Roasted Salmon

This oven roasted salmon is one of the best prepared fishes I've had. Served with seasonal vegetables and a cashew salsa. I'm sure this is something easy that they've created, but it was ridiculously delicious. The salmon was just cooked PERFECTLY. The Moroccan spices were mild and not over powering. The seasonal veggies were generous and not dinky. I still remember the salmon like a past summer fling I've never had. It's just so good I would think that's what it feels like.

Without further ado, the address is 3245 Casitas Ave, Atwater CA 90039.

They also serve breakfast and brunch. ( K i l l e r)