My boyfriend is obsessed with Julienne, a local bistro cafe that is never want for business. We know never to venture there on a weekend morning because the crowd is practically spilling into traffic. While breakfast is the real reason to head to Julienne and we have hit it up three times now – only I never brought my camera to document it. Finally I have, though this time we decided to give their lunch menu a shot.
Angus Cheeseburger ($15)
J’s first choice of the ham and cheese sandwich was already out so he went with plan B, a cheeseburger. This is the type of eatery that has so many other items to go for before ordering the burger but J is a picky eater and wasn’t expecting them to be out. He omitted the caramelized onions and was horrified to discover they put mayonnaise on the inside of the bun. Enough people hate mayo that it ought to be written down on the menu. Once he scraped it off he said it was good, but nothing extraordinary. The fries were tasty with crispy exteriors and warm insides.
Soup and Sandwich Combination ($14.5)
While the fancier entrees were very alluring, my French Onion Soup obsession found me ordering a soup and sandwich combination. I was thankfully warned that the soup was sweet because it is made with chicken stock and a sweet white wine. Added with sweet onions and alas, it was indeed too sweet. The sandwich was chicken tarragon salad between their signature rosemary current bread. It was a little too generous of a portion for me and could have used a tomato or cranberries in the mix but otherwise was pretty good and not dried out tasting at all.
Pear Cobbler ($7)
J ordered this and loved it. I was in the powder room and he had wolfed it down by the time I returned so yeah, other than “awesome” that’s all I can give you.
Lemon Square
I wanted something simpler to compliment my simple lunch and this lemon square fit the bill. I took most of it home to enjoy later. It was tart but still a little too sugary and I wasn’t terribly fond of the coconut crust atop it (under the powder sugar).
Would I return to Julienne for lunch? Oh, yes, it’s a pretty regular stop for us and we both would like to give a few more items a try. We’ll always say yes to their breakfast.
Would I recommend Julienne for lunch? Yes.
Tips
Try not to go on the weekends
Only open for breakfast and lunch
Browse through their gourmet market and pick up some goodies! Great for presents.
Julienne
2649 Mission Street
San Marino, CA 91108 website
While out grocery shopping at Trader Joes one day I spotted some mighty fine looking lamb loin chops. Despite having a deep love for lamb, my mom never really learned how to master the art of cooking red meat – usually just broiling it to a charred crisp as she was taught to via outdated cookbooks – which put me off to red meat when I was younger. Until I learned to cook for myself, of course, and realized how red meat was meant to be enjoyed. Now I’m the chef of the red meat in our house and though my mom cannot enjoy lamb at the moment I was determined to brush up my skills. I’m proud to say that my first go around was a major success and I duplicated it for sharing purposes.
Lamb Loin Chops with Butter Herb Sauce
You’ll Need
Loin lamb chops (no more than 2 chops to the skillet), fat trimmed and set aside
1 generous tablespoon of butter
3 gloves of garlic, sliced thinly
1/2 shallot, sliced thinly
2 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped
In a large skillet (cast iron preferably) place the trimmed fat and scoot around until melted.
Add your lamb chops and cook undisturbed for roughly 3 minutes, when a brown crust ought to have formed.
Flip and allow your chops to brown the other side
Drop the heat to medium-low and add the butter in the center of the skillet
As the butter is just about melted, add the garlic, herbs and shallots. Stir the sauce up and swish & flip your chops around, making sure every inch of them gets coated.
Cook to your desired likeness before plating up your chops and pouring the sauce on top.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes:
Other great herbs to use are fresh tarragon, oregano and sage.
You can determine how “done” your meat is by the “spring back” method. The springier the meat, the more undercooked it is. A perfectly cooked medium rare will have lots of give, and well done (which I don’t recommend) will have very little resistance to pressure.
It’s been a while since my last recipe thanks to severe illness. Now that I am officially on the mend, however, I am happy to have the first recipe of 2012 be this hearty soup, perfect for winter nights. Best of all, you can make this in the crock pot like I did and either have it ready for lunch or dinner with little fuss.
Bacon & Bean Soup
1 large can (28 oz) of peeled tomatoes
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 garlic gloves, minced
1/2 lbs dried white beans
49 oz. chicken stock
Thick cut smoked bacon (I used the Bits and Ends bacon package from Trader Joe’s)
Pepper, to season/taste
Dried parsley, to season/taste
Fresh parsley, to garnish
Fry up your bacon until crispy. Chop in rough cuts and divide into two piles.
In a medium sized bowl dump your can of peeled tomatoes, juice and all. Mush up tomatoes with your fingers (If this grosses you out dice them with a knife).
Add to crock pot along with onion, garlic and chicken stock.
Add one pile of bacon cuts.
Season with pepper and dried parsley and anything else you feel would go well.
Set your crock pot to cook for 8 hours on low.
When it’s ready to serve, top with extra bacon and garnish with fresh parsley.
When Steffie Love loves something she will make damn sure everybody knows it and try to spread the infection of curiosity throughout her friends so that we will in turn learn to love whatever it is she loves – bar, book, movie, restaurant, a particular dish – and then lives in the hopes that we will one day indulge with her. Such is the case with Luna Park – a restaurant off Wilshire & La Brea with a very pokey entrance but impressive, quirky digs on the inside. Steffie fell head over heels for their mac and cheese and became such an advocate that despite having never made the trek out there myself I snatched up a Groupon to Luna Park months and months back.
First of all, regardless of everything else, mad props to Luna Park for having a long stretch of time to use said Groupon with an expiration of date of May, 2012. I bought this in May of 2011. Good on you, Luna Park.
I had intended to use this Groupon with Steffie but both of us going down that way just never seemed to come together and when I was driving home from one of my doctor appointments in Santa Monica I suggested LP to my mom, who gladly took me up on the offer.
I was a little disappointed with the sparseness of the menu, but to be fair it was between lunch and dinner. I asked for a dinner menu just to look but our server must have forgotten and I wasn’t about to nag him. What was listed was a mix of brunch (which they recently started serving a partial list of for their weekday menu) and lunch items.
Fried Egg Sandwich ($12.5)
Though Steffie always recommended the mac and cheese I just couldn’t tear myself away from the innards of the fried egg sandwich: cheddar cheese, bacon, two eggs over easy, avocado, tomato and arugula. It came with a big bed of luscious looking mixed greens which unfortunately I could not eat at the time due to intestinal issues. It should also be noted I do not go for egg or sandwich anything usually so when I order either, let alone a combination of the two, you know I’ve got a hankering that could rival any knocked-up chick’s 3:00am pickle ice cream cravings. This tasted exactly like how I imagined and more. I really didn’t need the bacon (I removed a few strips) but one layer of a thicker cut might suffice in the future. Still, this is the best of breakfast & lunch all in one happy, filling sandwich.
Macaroni & Cheese side ($8)
All right, so I couldn’t come all of this way and not order the macaroni and cheese because Steffie would just not forgive me. Luckily Luna Park offers a side order – though at a whopping $8.00 you be the judge if that is a side dish kind of price. Broccoli came with it and he offered ham, so I went with that as well. I haven’t a clue if I was charged extra for the ham. It was…prettier than it tasted. The cheese separated, becoming a thin, oily sauce at the bottom of the tray rather than cheese that actually stuck to the pasta. The crust was probably the best I’ve seen & tasted on restaurant mac and cheese since James’ Beach in Venice (which is still hands down the best restaurant mac and cheese I’ve had). The ham was good and I didn’t taste the broccoli. After two bites I decided to box it up and give it to my brother.
Any burger over $10 that charges for cheese is a ripoff in my book but mom was in the burger mood so she went for it. The avocado I can sort of understand, and look at that hunk of satin greenery on the plate there. She had Gruyere cheese on it and said it was a damn fine burger. As I bandersnatched some of her fries I have good authority to say those were some DAMN tasty taters and would spring for a side of them if my (hypothetical future) meal did not come with them.
Red Sangria ($9.5)
Their cocktail list is something I would like to revisit in the future, especially since we came in just as the bottomless deal ended (at 3:00pm). It was a sangria kind of day, our warmish winter days being the envy of at least 45 other states and appropriate for sangria. This had a bit of a peppery kick to it – the server attributed it to the Spanish wine it was made with. I enjoyed it a lot.
I have to say that our experience had a dark cloud on it due to parking enforcement that was just calling the tow truck on my mom’s car. There are only 2 signs on the incredibly busy La Brea Avenue – one before the row of parking meters and one after – that give mention to the 4:00pm cut-off for street parking. She got slapped with a $158 ticket. There are no signs outside of the restaurant (or on the website) to indicate where an alternative parking area might be. Thank you to the lady server who alerted my mom about the meter maid!
Would I return to Luna Park? I would, there are a number of items I have my eye on trying, but the prices and location will keep me from going out of my way.
Would I recommend Luna Park? Yes! Though it is a bit steep, the prices do reflect a high standard of quality in the food. It’s diner food done right.
Luna Park
672 S. La Brea (near Wilshire)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.934.2110 website
Ever since I moved back to California I have been on the hunt for adequate pizza. Along the way I have found some very excellent pizza, but none have come so close to holding a candle, nay, surpassing, the neighborhood pizza joints I grew up with in a Philly suburb.
Until Tutta Bella came into my life.
Tutta Bella is a Seattle based small chain of authentic Neapolitan style pizza. They’re so hardcore that they’re the first certified Neapolitan Pizza of the Pacific Northwest.
My high school friend Liz was getting hitched back in the summer of 2010 and we ate here for the wedding rehearsal dinner. Pizzas were ordered and set before my eyes was a heavenly disc shaped object topped with prosciutto – PROSCIUTTO! My mind was blown, quickly followed by taste buds. I scarfed and scarfed until I could scarf no more. I vowed to return to Seattle to conquer more Seattle food, continue my affair with Tutta Bella, oh and of course, visit with my dear, dear friends. This is from my second Tutta Bella visit in October 2011.
The Giovanni
Ah, the pizza that started it all. Extra virgin olive oil, fresh mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto crudo, arugula, shaved reggiano – it’s a masterpiece. I’m definitely ordering one strictly for myself next time. I don’t need anything else.
Prosciutto e Porcini
It says prosciutto AND mushroom in the name! Extra virgin olive oil, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto cotto, porcini mushroom, basil. It’s a good pizza but without the red sauce though I am kind of lost. Call me a pizza humbug but I just need red sauce, damn it.
Antica
The Antica is not actually on the menu any longer but my friends are in the know so to speak and it can be ordered just the same. Pomodoro, mozzarella, mushrooms, salami and sweet chili peppers. This pizza had a bite to it. I’m not afraid of spice but chilies don’t sit well with me so I removed them. Good and meaty.
Cafe Cioccolato
All of us ordered cafe cioccolato (I had decaf) ~ which uses a generous dose of Nutella and makes for the perfect combination after dinner drink and dessert.
It warrants repeating that I’d recommend Tutta Bella (any of them) to visitors and locals alike. It can be as casual or formal of a visit as you make it, and if your kids are the kind that don’t need to run around making you look like negligent jackasses, it’d be a great spot for them, too. It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that Tutta Bella is highly addictive.
Tutta Bella – Stone Way
4411 Stone Way North
Seattle, WA 98103
206.633.3800 website
I’m not really a big fan of Polynesian food. Neither is Steffie or my sister. What we are game for, however, are tropical fruity drinks on a Friday afternoon. Despite being armed with the knowledge that splitting any sort of restaurant coupon rarely saves me any money, I still bought the $25 for $50 worth of food and drinks for Trader Vic’s via Living Social. Between parking, tips and the down payment of the “coupon” itself I shelled out approximately $35. Well, surprise, surprise for me! I did save some change.
Our bill spilled over about $14.00 (including tax), which Stef and Annette paid the difference of (plus their share of the tip – which of course, we tipped on the $74 and not the $14 because that would be shitty). The good staff of Trader Vic’s also applied happy hour prices to the drinks and snacks that applied.
This is what we got for our monies:
This was tasty, though a little too much ice for my liking. Could have definitely used more coconut. Still, for a happy hour drink, I’d order this again.
Mango Mai Tai ($10, $6 happy hour)
While I find Mai Tai’s to be the most hideous cocktail in creation no matter what flavor they dress it up in, my sister seemed to enjoy this drink immensely. It was her first Mai Tai experience.
Chicken Wings ($9, $5 happy hour)
Steffie ordered these and I think she got Kung Pao flavor. Schezwan would have been hotter and BBQ would have been, well, BBQ. Both Stef and I were pleasantly surprised how well these little morsels were prepared. The flavoring was all in a light with-a-slight-kick marinade and not some sticky, gloppy sauce and the meat was juicy and tender.
This would have been excellent if it weren’t for that nasty sauce on top, which was neither spicy nor even appetizing, really. It was thick, cumbersome and sweet. I would not have ordered this had the menu accurately described the roll. The only spice was from the wasabi I added.
Tiki Bowl – light & dark rums, brandy, almond & orange juice ($20, serves two)
This the the only picture that adequately depicts the quantity of booze these two ladies sucked up in their novelty straws. I was pretty gung-ho to try one of these multiple-persons drinks but the choices were very uninspiring. I wasn’t a fan of the Tiki Bowl, but Annette & Steffie were and that’s what counts. Steffie threw the towel in 3/4ths the way in and it was up to my sister to make sure nothing went to waste.
Peach Tree Punch ($10), Crispy Calamari ($9, $5 happy hour)
The drink was with “light rum, flavors of peaches and oranges and a soft southern whisper of coconut” and though I could have used more peach flavor, this was delightfully refreshing and strong enough that I took my time with it. I think Annette ended up finishing it, though.
The crispy calamari is what I should have ordered in lieu of the lackluster sushi. It was supposed to come with wasabi mayonnaise according to the website, but I don’t recall if this was listed on the menu at the time or not. Regardless, it came with a very disappointing sauce that I’m assuming is supposed to be marinara but tasted like jarred spaghetti sauce.
HOWEVER! In a surprising twist of culinary fate, the calamari was cooked so incredibly well that all it required for optimal flavoring was a squeeze of a fresh lemon wedge, which was already provided. I was amazed to find that their calamari was not disgustingly breaded fried but lightly battered – so when I tired of the batter I simply removed the exterior and enjoyed lemon kissed calamari by itself. Delicious.
Would I return to Trader Vic’s? Maybe, but only with the good company of my fellow lushes for drinks and snacks, or one big entree to share.
Would I recommend Trader Vic’s? If you’re into Polynesian food and tropical drinks, absolutely. They don’t skimp on the booze, even when you’re doubling down with a coupon during happy hour and everyone was pleasant, informative and attentive.
Trader Vic’s
800 West Olympic Blvd. #A120
Los Angeles, CA 90015 website
Long time no blog my friends, but it certainly isn’t due to a lack of interest but lack of mobility due to lack of good health. I am s-l-o-w-l-y recovering and getting out and about again. Celestino had been in my peripherals for the better part of fifteen years and now that I have sampled its fare I cannot ever imagine my life without them. I had been thinking, no, fantasizing about Celestino since J and I went there in late summer. It was an impromptu decision to go there the first time around and I did not have my camera handy. Sadness because I really wanted this review to be in 2011 for my top 2011 eats list. Oh, well! Just one more reason to go back.
As I was feeling more and more restless over these last few weeks and more confident about my not giving a fuck what people think of how I look (it is visually obvious I have been going through some rough issues) I craved Celestino more and more. Finally I caught J off his athletic diet and planted the idea in his head too. We made our way back to Celestino and had another wonderful evening. I wound up ordering the same appetizer and entree as I did the first time.
Jumbo Scallops with cannellini beans and sage ($13.5)
On both occasions my scallops were cooked perfectly, no small feat for lesser chefs (myself included, sadly). However, I found that this second time around my broth was a little over seasoned, a pinch too much salt maybe. I’d still recommend this appetizer though because the scallops are the focus and I have had it taste immaculately in the past.
Pappardelle con Fagiano e Morelle ($15)
Wide Fettuccine with pheasant and Morels Mushrooms. Oh. My. Lord. I didn’t think anything could usurp Fettuccine Alfredo or a really awesome seafood spaghetti but this dish beats all. I know it isn’t the prettiest of dishes, but those supple homemade noodles married in mushroom sauce with the tenderest flakes of pheasant meat is probably the most harmonious Italian dish I’ve ever eaten in my life.
Risotto with rock shrimp & vegetables in white cream sauce & truffle oil
The risotto special of the evening. While J enjoyed this dish, it was as imaginative as it looks above – that is to say, not really much at all. We don’t remember what he had last time but we do recall he enjoyed it (and that it was also probably shrimp related).
Vanilla bean panna cotta with strawberries
This was my first panna cotta and I could not have had a more ideal first experience. Panna cotta always looked like flavorless white jello to me, but when J started talking it up and explained it was a kind of Italian custard, I grew interested. I’m glad J ordered this as our dessert – it was bursting with vanilla and the fact that it was fresh sliced strawberries rather than a nasty strawberry “sauce” immensely impressed and pleased us.
I also ordered a cocktail from the bar.
Lemon Drop with sugared rim ($9)
I’m shamed to say this was too strong for me and I could not finish it. Good to mention though because if you’re not a weakling like me you’ll be happy to know the drinks are stiff.
Celestino has ample indoor seating with private indoor and outdoor rooms for parties. A covered front outdoor dining area is where J and I sat the first time, warmed by ceiling-mounted heaters. I actually prefer this area to the main dining room. We’ve been there when it was packed and when it was quiet and both times we were received by friendly and attentive staff.
I look forward to further blogging of my affair with Celestino. If I can ever break away from ordering the pappardelle (not bloody likely).
Celestino Ristorante & Bar
141 South Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101 website
Dear Readers,
As some of you may know, I had surgery in early November. Some of you may also know that I was re-hospitalized for a mysterious illness and kept in the hospital for 6 days with no luck at finding out the cause for the illness. What most of you do not know is that I am still sick, eight weeks after my surgery. I want to let everyone know that I am not abandoning Glass of Win but I cannot reasonably have regular updates until I am feeling closer to 100%. I’m hoping to post some of my backlogged eating adventures soon enough, but I cannot make promises at this time. Just wanted to give everyone an update.
Thanks for all of your support.
I’m hoping 2012 will be even more delicious than last year!
-Rachael
This was a very difficult list to make. Instead of “overall” restaurants I decided to go with dish-specific eats. I omitted items from anyplace I’d already eaten at in years prior, so these were all “new” restaurants to me in 2011. Without further ado, in no particular order, I present: Rachael’s Top 2011 Eats
Beet consomme with mushroom dumplings – CAFE POLONEZ
