The Wing Fix – Uptown Whittier

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Rachael

The Wing Fix

I had the pleasure of being asked to visit and sample the food at The Wing Fix in Uptown Whittier last weekend when I was visiting my friend Annie. Before I jump in and talk about the restaurant itself, permit me to digress about my connection with Whittier. Whittier, one of the last cities-within-a-city of Los Angeles County before one crosses into Orange County, is the town my mother was born and raised in.

Though I only officially called Whittier my home for exactly three years, Whittier will always be home for the rest of my family. Until I traveled around and interacted with so many L.A. transplants, I never realized what a rare unicorn the “native Los Angeleno” is to some people. They are just like you and me, I swear!

Though only a stepping-stone compared to most places I’ve lived, my three years in Whittier were wrought with the kind of strife and over-the-top dramadies one experiences from the ages of twelve to fifteen. Though I can reflect upon them with misty water-colored memories now, the residue of teenage angst lingers. The three best events out of those years were, in fact, three people: Annette (my sister), Annie (one of my best friends) and my sister-in-law. Annie accompanied me to The Wing Fix, as she lives in the vicinity and would actually be patronizing them more regularly than I could, given that I am fifteen-ish miles away.

Now, Whittier is not known for having a wealth of culinary accolades. It has good food, but is generally lacking great food. I can count on one hand how many restaurants I’d recommend to visitors and I still cry about the loss of Zi Teresa; an event I now refer to as “This is why Whittier can’t have nice things.” Or so I thought.
Enter: The Wing Fix.

Situated in the heart of Uptown Whittier, The Wing Fix is found with a cursory poke into the newly revamped plaza along Greenleaf Avenue. Opening at the top of October 2011 under the name Wing Master Cafe, the reviews have mostly been consistently positive even when they keys were handed to new owners and it underwent a name change. The essentials were kept – mainly the wings – but the menu is evolving as the new management, under the guidance of general manager Eric, seeks honest feedback to take The Wing fix to the next level and become a Whittier staple.

Enough blather and babble, on with the food!

Mac n’ Cheese
Velveeta – cream – cheddar

I’m a sucker for mac n’ cheese, but knowing I needed a variety of food, I only ordered the small. I blanched when I was told the sauce is a mixture of heavy cream and Velveeta. My solitary experience with the latter was so unpleasant, my sister (the offender who fed it to us) is still humiliated by the memory, seventeen years later. Making Annie try it first, I saw her bright brown eyes light up and knew something had to of gone right. Oh. My. God. Luscious and creamy, I could have easily eaten the large. On my own. With the lights off. Oh, yeah. Ahem. This is a definite winner, and I discussed with Eric the various little ways to add some oomph, like a herbed panko crust. Though, to be honest, it isn’t essential. I’d eat this ’til the end of my days.

Firecracker Wings
sweet & spicy secret sauce – fresh cilantro

I knew from the get-go these were a must for me,as sweet and spicy is a combo I cannot get enough of. Surprisingly enough, though, these sticky succulent morsels wound up being Annie’s favorite. “I just can’t get enough,” she said as she went for another. The sauce is provided by a company whose relationship was inherited from the previous owners. Of course, all of its multilayered flavors remain a secret, even to The Wing Fix staff, who add the perfect touch with fresh cilantro. Judging with my own palate, there is definitely something Southeast Asian – Vietnamese chili garlic sauce (tuong ot toi) is most assuredly employed. Whatever its other mystery seasonings hold it theirs to keep; I’m content relishing in the tastiness of the final product.

The Stinker
garlic parmesan wings

As this was my first experience with garlic parmesan wings, I have to say that The Wing Fix set the bar pretty damn high. The perfect balance of garlic and cheese was pleasant, but the real star was the chicken itself. Annie and I kept commenting on just how remarkably crispy these wings were without the drawback of being greasy. The meat was abundant and especially juicy. I’d order this again in a heartbeat.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
chicken breast – Godfather sauce – carrots & celery – blue cheese dressing

As I wanted a variety, as well as to taste the Godfather sauce (Buffalo sauce), I went with the new chicken sandwich menu – sliders are officially off. Ground chicken is a fickle beast, and I do not blame the new owners for removing it from the menu. The sauce itself was tasty (I even got to sneak a taste on a wing from the chef’s personal batch just to assert its deliciousness when applied to wings) but the sandwich is definitely in its earliest stage of development. I did not even need to make a comment on the bread; GM Eric was already a step ahead of me in admitting its shortcomings. I suggested a starchier bread, like potato bread rolls. I look forward to the sandwiches in the future.

Beers on Tap

It ought to be mentioned that The Wing Fix also holds a “Man vs. Food” challenge in the form of the Ghostbusters Challenge: $20 gets customers 12 wings laced with Habanero and ghost chilis hot sauce. After entrants sign a waiver, they have 8 minutes to complete the challenge by consuming all twelve Ghostbusters wings. Winners are awarded a t-shirt and have their picture placed on the wall of fame.

What little there is still to work worth (e.g. the chicken sandwiches, and some of the website) will come together in the very near future, that I am confident of. The Wing Fix team is grounded, creative, open-minded and happy to listen to the suggestions of their customers in the effort to elevate the menu and connect food with community.

The Wing Fix
6518 Greenleaf Avenue, Suite #12
Whitter, CA 90601
562.698.1888
http://www.thewingfix.com

Masa of Echo Park

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Rachael

Masa of Echo Park

Masa of Echo Park was initially published in 2011 for the The Place: Los Angeles. I have since updated and expanded the review.

“Echo Park is the urban Mayberry,” says Rhonda Reynolds, co-owner of Masa of Echo Park, a mom and pop restaurant on the corner of Sunset and Lemoyne, famed for their Chicago style pizza. She couldn’t be more correct. Though it’s easy for locals and visitors alike to breeze through this west downtown neighborhood on their way to West L.A., Echo Park has a lot going on for itself. The first incarnation of Masa of Echo Park was not initially a restaurant, but a car dealership! Built in 1922, the building housed roadsters for the discerning motorists of the rapidly expanding Los Angeles population.

By the 1930′s, however, the building was tricked out as the Carty Bros. Bon Ton Market & Van De Kamps Bakery, handing the keys over to Sarnos Family in the 1950′s for Carmelli’s Italian Bakery, Market and Coffee Shop; then in the 1970′s El Carmelo + Carmelo’s Cuban Restaurant & Bakery had run of the place. It took a break some time in the 1990′s before being bought and done up by Rob Rowe and Rhonda Reynolds, who officially opened Masa’s doors in 2004.

A Chicago native with extensive experience in Chicago pizzeria’s, Rob not only knows his pizza, but imports signature Chicago staples such as: Scala’s authentic hot Giardiniera and “well-seasoned pans lovingly forged in the Windy City”. Otherwise, all produce is fresh and local. With friendly marigold walls and country kitchen chic style, Masa is welcoming in both atmosphere and attitude.

Homemade Garlic Bread with Marinara 5.95

Knowing our pizzas would take forty minutes, my friend Natalie and I kicked off our meal by demolishing the garlic bread: an entire loaf of bread made in-house, toasted & drizzled with olive oil, fresh chopped garlic & Parmesan cheese, served with warm, house made marinara sauce. Neither one of us could name its rival. If I weren’t intent on finally devouring the elusive Chicago Style Pizza, I would have very much been content with this basic appetizer and the salad below.

Manchego Salad 9.95

Rhonda, one of the owners, kindly sent over the unrivaled Manchego salad: organic baby lettuces, dates, granny smith apples, candied walnuts, Manchego cheese and pear dressing, drizzled with a balsamic reduction and olive oil. It almost made Natalie and I feel like we had enough “green points” to justify digging into our own deep dish pizza’s.

Lots of Cheese 15.95
Mozzarella, Romano & Buffalo Mozzarella…lots of it

Natalie, a staunch pescaterian (she eats seafood), went for this trifecta of cheesy goodness and declared it an instant hit. I cannot comment personally, because she would have stabbed the back of my hand with her fork were I to have gone after a bite.

Custom Chicago Pizza - Masa of Echo Park

Custom Chicago Style Pizza $20.95
Genoa salami, pineapple, mushrooms

Small pizza’s start at $13.45 with an array of toppings costing $2.50 or $3.50, depending on which list you pick from. All of mine came from the $2.50 list, which means my small pizza cost the same amount as a large from the prefab list. I’m not saying it isn’t worth every penny, but I do caution you to make sure you have someone to help you eat all of this! I only ate two slices before I had to call it quits in order to leave room for dessert (and trust me; Natalie and I were in desperate need of wheelbarrows to haul our butts outta there, we were so full!). I gave the leftovers to my family. The consensus was unanimous: extraordinarily quality pizza. Fresh as the morning sun, I could taste the ‘homemade’ with every bite.

Croissant Bread Pudding - Masa of Echo Park

Warm Croissant Bread Pudding 8.95
Chocolate, almond & butter croissants baked in vanilla custard, warm caramel drizzle

Natalie and I were careful to only have two pieces each of our respective pizzas, for we promised ourselves the famed warm croissant bread pudding: chocolate, almond & butter croissants, pan baked in vanilla custard and drizzled with warm caramel sauce. How can I describe such bliss, other than to compare it to the Highlander: There can only be one.

Having only heard tales of the elusive Chicago style pizza my whole life, I was eager to finally check the deep dish pizza off of my ‘foodie bucket list.’ A cozy spot good for family, date night, small and large friends night out, Masa of Echo Park is not only worth a try, but worthy of visiting time and time again.

Masa of Echo Park
1800 West Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 989-1558
masaofechopark.com

Ocean Avenue Seafood – Santa Monica

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Rachael

Ocean Avenue Seafood in Santa Monica

Disclaimer: Ocean Avenue Seafood is now closed, and being replaced with Water Grill. Both restaurants are owned and operated by Kings Seafood Co. This article was first published The Place: Los Angeles, June 2011. I’ve updated it a bit and offer it as reference.

As soon as I saw the words “Raw Bar” I knew we would be eating at Ocean Avenue Seafood restaurant for this Santa Monica feature. Oh, little oysters, how do I love thee? There was no question in my mind that I was going to order the Oyster Sampler, a dozen of six selections of the finest oysters from all over the globe. Patience, I told myself, don’t look like a fanatic and scare the nice waitress in training. So I ordered a lime Ricky (not on the menu, but definitely something I recommend since the bartender perfected it with little instruction from me) and started to peruse over the menu.

Fried Calamari

Patience flew out the window, though, as soon as my then-boyfriend cracked open the menu and saw fried calamari. While not my first (or even second) choice as far as appetizers go, I will readily admit that it was the most accurately cooked fried calamari ever, without a trace of rubbery texture.

Oyster Sampler Platter

Forget patience and professionalism and bring on my sweet little mollusks and let me at ‘em! Accompanied with freshly grated horseradish, lemon, cocktail sauce and a red wine vinegar mignonette sauce I tried very earnestly to savor each one and record their flavors. In other words, I tried my best not to be a savage and down them in under a minute. My favorites were Blue Point and Beausoliel, both extremely creamy and silky in texture. Falsa Bay was probably my least favorite, only reserved for purists seeking out potent flavors of briny waters.

Tristan Island Lobster Tails

Crab Stuffed Shrimp

It was difficult for both J and I to pick an entrée, but seafood outings are so few and far between, it was decided go big or go home. He went with the Tristan Island Lobster tails while I settled on the crab stuffed shrimp. Both came with garlic mashed potatoes and seasoned sautéed vegetables. For allegedly being one of the most uninhabited islands in the world, the waters off of Tristan Island sure does produce some tasty lobsters. Meaty and juicy, it is safe to say that these were the filet mignon of the sea. It was tough to pull my attention away from the lure of crab cakes, but my crab stuffed jumbo shrimp was the plump and succulent best of both worlds, with the added bonus of a light dill sauce.

Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding

How on earth we had room for dessert, I will never know. I place all of the blame on J, who could convince me to gorge myself into any food coma. We went with one of our favorites and ordered the warm chocolate bread pudding. Delivered to us fresh and piping hot from the oven, we delved in spoon-first, enjoying the delicate cocoa flavor mingled with the vanilla bean and raspberry sauce, the latter of which we both thought could be done without.

I would say lunch is just as divine as dinner, if not more so as we were able to sit in the covered patio and have a lovely view of the ocean. White linen and wicker furniture with heat lamps for blustery days and chillier evenings are the epitome of beach chic here in SoCal restaurants. The staff was friendly and helpful with menu knowledge. As Water Grill will be replacing Ocean Avenue Seafood, I’ll put their info here instead.

Water Grill
1401 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
http://www.watergrill.com

Maximiliano – Highland Park

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Rachael

Maximiliano – Kinda Old School Italian

I’d had my heart set on Maximiliano for a number of months, with a number of items on their tantalizing menu tempting me, all stemming from descriptive wording on their website to luscious images from local food bloggers making the rounds on the internet. Three particular selections on the menu kept crying out to me, and when opportunity arose to feature Highland Park for a magazine, I leapt like a salivating cat underneath a dangling piece of bacon. Mmmm. Bacon.

Interior

With my brunch buddies Steffie and Evan in tow, we carpooled over and made our 11am reservation (not precisely a necessity, but it never hurts!), scoring rock star street parking alongside the brick building that now houses the restaurant. The dream child of Chef Andre Guerrero – born and raised in the adjacent neighborhood of Glassell Park – Maximiliano is a welcome second feat, as his first “baby” (the much celebrated Oinkster), is already the stuff of legends. Inspired by the Italian flag, the interior of Maximiliano was just old school enough to give us security that a fantastic meal was shortly to arrive, and modern enough to put us at ease in a friendly, airy, and bright environment. Just the setting brunch in Los Angeles ought to be.

Baker's Bread Box - Maximiliano, Highland Park

Baker’s Bread Box $7

Hearing our hunger pangs rumbling, our waiter encouraged us to order the Baker’s Bread Box, a literal box filled with a selection of breakfast pastries, made in-house. Our box was bursting with incredibly moist zucchini bread, orange ginger bread, raspberry mini muffins, and scones along with fresh cream. I laugh now to recall that I did not think we would finish it; nearly every bite was devoured in a ravenous frenzy. My favorite was definitely the zucchini bread, while Steffie and Evan both took a particular liking to the orange ginger bread.

Convincing my friends to go with those menu items that I had dancing around in my head, like the visions of sugar plums to the slumbering children of the holiday poem, was not as monumental a task as I had been anticipating. Possibly because the frenzied gleam in my eyes clued them in that to question my cravings would be disastrous.

Maximiliano Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict - Highland Park

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict $14
country potatoes

The first main to arrive was the smoked salmon Eggs Benedict, and in my opinion, a brunch just isn’t a brunch without some variety of Eggs Benedict. An oldie but goodie, it featured wilted spinach with generous portions of salmon adorned with two of the most perfectly coddled, yolky eggs, topped with house-made Hollandaise. A true-blue staple for brunch traditionalists. Maximiliano also offers applewood bacon confit Eggs Benedict as an alternative.

Carbonara Pasta with Bacon Confit - Maximiliano, Highland Park

Carbonara Pasta $12
bacon confit, poached egg

Our second main was on the unconventional side of the menu: Carbonara Pasta with bacon confit and poached egg. The wide noodles had an al dente freshness to them that told me they were made in-house that very morning (there really is no pasta more satisfying than when it’s made fresh), and the bacon confit was more like the texture of chunked ham steak, so juicy and meaty, with a tenderness I do not normally associate with bacon. I ate the bulk of this dish, already scheming on who else I might be able to talk into coming out for another brunch date just so I could indulge in this creamy, meaty, eggy, carbohydrate paradise again.

Maximiliano Bloody Mary $8

While mimosa’s are the standard drink for brunch here in L.A., I’m actually a bigger fan of bloody Mary’s. However, I am persnickety about them, and this peppery, spice-laden vegetable circus was too busy for me. It was a whole buffet of flavors going on in one glass, and I had to enlist my friends to help me polish it off. Really excellent if you like your Bloody Mary’s to have multiple layers of pepperiness, but I’d pass next time.

Ricotta Pancake with Lemon Curd and Berries - Maximiliano, Highland Park

Ricotta Pancake $8
lemon curd, fresh berries

After many savories, it was time to indulge our sweet tooth with the ricotta pancake, complemented with a generous dollop of lemon curd and a sprinkling of fresh berries. It was our just desserts to max out on, bringing our bellies to maximum brunch contentedness.

With excellent service, quality food, moderate prices and just the bright kind of atmosphere I like to brunch in, it’s a no brainer that I’d definitely recommend and return to Maximiliano. Ciao!

Maximiliano
5930 York Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
maximilianohp.com
323.739.6125

The Failte Hotel Bar (Killarney)

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Rachael

Steffie and I were all set to go on a Ring of Kerry tour, which we booked through Bus Éireann at Parnell Station. However, on the Sunday we were to go – two days before our departure from Ireland – we learned that our tour had been cancelled due to not meeting the minimum requirement of attendees. Faced with the prospect of wasting one of our precious few last days, we decided to be adventurous and do as the clerk suggested: transfer the fare we paid to a new ticket and go explore downtown Killarney on our own. The Killarney National Park was not but one kilometer from the drop-off area, so we had the entire day to explore its expansive grounds. As I’ve learned now, this stop is often skipped or grossly squished into an official Ring of Kerry Tour, so in hindsight, I am extraordinarily pleased it turned out this way.

One day (when I’ve returned to Killarney National Park to take proper pictures) I’ll post about the Park itself, but here are some highlights in the meantime:

Ross Tower Castle

Ah, yes. Ross Castle. It was exceedingly windy when Steffie and I walked through the Park and made it to this late 15th century landmark. We didn’t take an official tour, but we enjoyed playing around outside and seeing the historical documents and models of what Ross Tower was like back in its heyday. We were in mutual agreement over our love for the ever so fashionable murdering hole.

After our day at the Park, Steffie and I walked back through town, where time straddled that awkward limbo between lunch and dinner. Our last bus did not depart until around 7′clock, so after killing some time in gift shops and browsing the menus posted outside the hotels, pubs, bars and restaurants that weren’t closed due to it being a Sunday, we finally settled on The Failte Hotel Bar.

Owned and operated by the O’Callaghan family, The Fáilte Hotel is a bar, restaurant and hotel all in one. Their popularity was evident as soon as Steffie and I stepped inside; boisterous cheering and jeering from regulars and tourists alike filled the bar as The World Cup played on a couple of television screens.

After a long day of walking and nature, Steffie and I indulged in some libation – Bulmers for her, Jameson & Ginger for myself.

Finches Dry Ginger Ale

Finches ain’t playing around; when they say dry, they mean it. This isn’t your sugary Canada Dry stuff. Impeccibly crisp, this mixer makes for

Oysters on the Half Shell

Oyster obsessed that I am, I could not resist another chance at devouring Irish oysters. As you can see, though, these poor little mollusks were horribly butchered and mangled by someone at Failte Hotel Bar who does not know how to properly shuck an oyster. Mercifully, I put them out of their humiliation and devoured them quickly.

Fish and Chips
mushy peas

Steffie’s last fish and chip meal of our visit. Just look at that behemoth of golden crispy deliciousness. Really gorgeous piece of fish; flakey, moist and flavorful with only a squeeze of lemon needed for that extra boost of flavor. The chips (not pictures) were equally praiseworthy, and Steffie preferred these simplified peas to the minted peas she came across at other eateries.

Guinness Casserole
beef, onions, carrots & side of potatoes

I don’t know about you, but that does not look the least bit like a casserole to me. Fáilte, I do not think that word means what you think it means. I was imagining, well, something not quite so reminiscent of stew. Oh, well. I played along and ate it up anyway, seeing as it was a blustery, manic weather sort of day, the likes of which I’ve only ever experienced in Ireland. The beef was tender, not dry or chewy in the least. I thought some fresh mushrooms would have been a nice addition, but again, still good. I’m unsure if this was the same portion they gave to everyone, or if by virtue of hearing my American voice, they assumed I would expect a comically large portion. Either way, despite my enjoyment of this dish, I was definitely unable to finish.

Sticky Toffee Pudding
sherry treacle

Our first encounter with Sticky Toffee Pudding brought our meal to a richly decadent and thoroughly satisfied finish. Neither of us cared for the sauce on the side, going for the sherry treacle, which added an appreciative zing to the otherwise dense but oh so delicious pudding.

As this meal was three years ago, I am sure many menu changes have happened at Failte Hotel Bar. Neither the pudding nor the casserole appear on the online restaurant or bar menus. Still, it was a hearty end to another jammed-packed day in Ireland, fill us up with good eats and good memories.

The Fáilte Hotel Bar & Restaurant
College Street, Killarney
Co. Kerry, Ireland
Telephone: 064 6633404
www.failtekillarney.com

On the road back from Killarney

Review: Lemonade Pasadena

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Rachael

After our afternoon of indulgence at the Dry Bar, friend and fellow blogger Melissa (The Valentine RD) and I decided we needed a little something in our stomach to combat with the high-end champagne we guzzled during our spectacular blow-outs. Lucky for us, Lemonade Pasadena is just two doors down from Dry Bar. Lemonade is one of those places that has been on the ever-growing “to eat at” list, but falls off the radar for one reason or another. I’d first encountered Lemonade at MOCA (The Museum of Contemporary Art), but it was either closed, or just too rich for my blood at the time. To be honest, I can count on one hand how many times I have been to MOCA on one hand and still have fingers leftover. Until Lemonade Pasadena opened up, I wasn’t aware that Lemonade was a chain.

Created by Chef Alan Jackson of The Farm (Beverly Hills) fame, the concept behind Lemonade is “Seasonal Southern California Comfort Food in a fast-casual cafeteria setting.” The fare at Lemonade echos an international influence, and has enough of a variety to please even the most discerning palates (i.e. me). I knew I was going to make dinner, so I opted for the salads – something nearly unheard of for me, and we can probably thank alcohol for lowering my standards. Urp. I mean…Anyway! I went for the “3 portions for $7.50″ under (again, champagne influenced) the thought process $5.25 for 2 portions was too expensive. Then I saw the size of the portions being scooped on my plate and whoops. Two portions would have been just dandy. Verdict: Good bang for my buck!

Arnold Palmer ($3.00)
lemonade, iced tea

I normally don’t purchase soft drinks when I’m dining out, but considering the name of the eatery and the fact that I am obsessed with Arnold Palmer’s. It’s pretty much the only way I can drink iced tea at restaurant, since restaurants serve iced tea with caffeine and I’m sensitive to liquid caffeine. This Arnold Palmer was not only very refreshing, but perfectly proportionate with the lemonade to iced tea ratio.

Orecchiette
cherry tomatoes, broccolini, feta

This dish was not memorable. I picked at it, mostly going for the cherry tomatoes and orecchiette. I’m particular about feta, and if memory serves, the feta in this salad was crumbled so finely I did not have much of an opportunity to examine its texture. It’s not that I wouldn’t recommend this salad, it’s just that it left no lasting impression with me either way.

Soba noodles
kimchi marinated vegetables, toasted peanuts

My favorite selection of my trio. Doesn’t really look like soba, though, does it? Maybe Okinawa soba? Whatever the case, it was delicious. The vegetables were well seasoned, the peanuts just the crunch I needed for texture contrast, and an overall kick of heat that did not take away from the harmony of the rest of the flavors.

Israeli couscous
wild mushrooms, Parmesan, lemon truffle

My least favorite of the trio, though that isn’t to say it wasn’t good, just not to my liking as I initially thought. While I’m a big fan of mushrooms, I think this dish reminded me that it’s only hot dishes where I enjoy mushrooms. Their texture and the overall seasoning, especially the truffle oil, did not do it for me. Upon reflection, I’m not precisely sure why I even gravitated towards it in the first place. Luckily, I traded Melissa this couscous for the remainder of her cake.

Chocolate Snack Cake ($5.00)
chocolate, whipped cream filling

Melissa purchased this slice of heaven for its memory inducing goodness. Moist, fluffy, chocolatey, and sweet without being that kind of sugary that leaves a gritty residue on ones teeth, this cake was the high class escort to the now out-of-business snack cake company’s two-dollar trick.

Overall, I dig Lemonade Pasadena and wouldn’t mind returning to try out their Beef stroganoff, mac n’ cheese, soups and sandwiches. It’s nice to have the option of moderately priced, casual dine-in/take out healthier options (you know, when one actually goes for the healthy options).

Lemonade
146 S. Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
http://lemonadela.com
open daily from 11:00a-9:05p

Happy Hour at Muddy Leek (Culver City)

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Rachael

A few weeks ago, I attended happy hour at Muddy Leek, the “hyper-seasonal” restaurant from catering couple Chef Whitney Flood and Julie Retzlaff of Bon Mélange Catering. Born from years of entertaining experience and a series of underground dinners, Muddy Leek is the couple’s first independent restaurant. Chef Whitney’s commitment to using the best of fresh, in-season ingredients promised a happy hour out of the norm of traditional bar bites, with bar manager Lance Kawani mixing up a myriad of cocktails to quench our thirst.

Lamb Merguez Hot Dog - Muddy Leek Invitational

Merguez Hot Dog
garlic aioli – grilled baguette

I’ve never been a fan of Merguez sausage, and I can’t say I’ve been won over yet. I think it might be the harissa? Either way, I only took a nibble of this to confirm my continual aversion to the meat. With that said, though, my companion was over the moon for this and wolfed down about four of them. Just don’t tell her I told you.

Grilled Speck and Manchego

My jaw dropped when I was told that the protein was speck, a meat I hadn’t eaten since I was last in Ireland. I’ve never seen speck within the USA, but I love its herby, juniper laden flavors. The addition of Manchego (Spanish cheese) elevated this bite in a way I never thought possible for simple grilled cheese. This was truly a pairing made in culinary heaven.

Italian Mule
vodka – amaro meletti – lime – ginger soda

The most familiar drink of the night; an Italian twist on the classic Moscow variety by the addition of Amaro Meletti, a liqueur with notes of saffron and anise. A safe and sweet drink to perk up the palate.

Venison Corndog - Mudddy Leek Snack Bites

Venison Corndog
house beer mustard

I was not particularly smitten with this bite, but my guest thought highly of it along with the beer mustard – which I did enjoy.

Chicken Fried Bacon - Muddy Leek Invitational

Chicken Fried Bacon
bibb lettuce, tomato chutney

If Victor Frankenstein were a chef rather than a scientist (really, the only difference is their mediums), he would have concocted this beautiful monstrosity. I cannot even begin to tell you how perfectly decadent these morsels are. I feel like running naked through the reflecting pool at the Washington Monument would be more dignified than sharing the sorry/not sorry lustful feelings I have for this dish. I regret not personally ordering another round to hoard all to my greedy self.

Blind Lemon Jefferson - Mudddy Leek Snack Bites

Blind Lemon Jefferson
rye, lemon, bitters

I was a bit nervous when this drink was given to me, as I normally don’t go for bold, masculine drinks. However, the lemon balanced out the rye without treading into ‘sweet’ territory, effectively making this drink not only palatable but completely pleasant and approachable for future visits.

Leek Pizetta
potato, bacon, cheese

The starch on starch combo was a big hit with everyone save for me, as I’ve never understood the appeal. Potato on pizza dough aside, though, the leeks, bacon and cheese were the real stars of this show. The leeks especially prominently stood out, giving a nice, earthy onion-y flavor.

Doughnut Holes

I’m not one for doughnuts, really, but these were just the right size for a touch of sweetness after all of our savory bites. My guest, a doughnut fiend, loved the simplicity of these little balls of fried dough coated plainly in sugar. A very happy end to our happy hour food.

Sr. Calarita
mezcal, jalapeno, cucumber, lime

Hands down, the best cocktail of the evening. The jalapeno added a whole new level of heady smokiness, a slow burn with a crisp cool down from the cucumber and lime. I could have had four of these.

It was nice to step out of my usual haunts and into a neighborhood I’m only beginning to become more acquainted with. As the event took place on a Thursday, it was the perfect evening to give those of us dealing with company/family the fortitude to brave through the holiday (Easter) weekend. Overall, the food was extremely enjoyable and left me with a pleasant, lingering feeling of wanting more. Precisely what happy hour is meant to accomplish. Happy hour at Muddy Leek runs from 4:00-6:00pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Muddy Leek
8631 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, 90232
310.838.2281
www.muddyleek.com

Review: Pete’s Diner (Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.)

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Rachael

iPhoto has these pictures listed as being taken on Saturday, March 16th when I know for a fact that I was at a Needlepoint Show at the Woodlawn Plantation on Saturday, and I ate lunch there. So these photos must have been taken as the first of our St. Patrick’s Day festivities of sitting around and munching/drinking. Though I do not doubt that this hefty brunch is a response to some hefty drinking that may or may not have taken place on Saturday night.

We arrived to Pete’s at a decent enough hour where there was still adequate space for our party of four. A snug space, Pete’s utilizes all of their area by employing the use of family style picnic table to run lengthwise down the center of their establishment. These were empty when we arrived, which is where we sat, but filled by the time we left forty five or so minutes later.

Everyone inside was all-smiles and familiar greetings, as KD and company frequented Pete’s over the years. They enjoy it for its non-pretension and simple, soak-up-the-booze grub.

Tuna Melt with fries ($6.95)

KD decided lunch fare was sounding too good to pass up, and went with her go-to sandwich: tuna melt with fries. Knowing her as I do, she would never order this unless a place made it to her liking (and health requirements of no onions). I had a taste of the fries, which were nice and crispy on the outside a hot and starchy on the inside.

Blueberry Pancakes and Scrapple - Pete's Diner

Blueberry Pancakes with Scrapple ($7.95)

The #2 special original called for 2 pancakes + 2 eggs + meat of choice. I asked for this, but omitted the eggs, ordered the blueberry pancakes (kept it at a reasonable stack of two) and bypassed the ham/sausage/bacon options for Scrapple as my meat of choice. Scrapple – if you’re unfamiliar – is a Mid-Atlantic staple of leftover pork offal combined with cornmeal, buckwheat flour and spices. I grew fond of it whilst living in Pennsylvania as a child, much to my mother’s horror, and would often dine on it when I stayed with KD and her family. It is typically cut into rectangular slices as you see above and pan fried. For me, the only acceptable way to eat it is a combination of savory and sweet with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Not to be outshone, the pancakes were grilled to a perfect golden brown, with a handful of big, juicy blueberries in each. Two was the perfect number for me, as a full short stack would have been just one too many.

Ham and Cheese Omelet ($7.95)

I’m unsure if Angela ordered the ham and cheese omelet and added tomatoes, or ordered the Western omelet and omitted the onions and green peppers. It doesn’t matter; the point I wanted to make with either is that the staff is beyond accommodating. Between my, Angela and Guille’s orders, we all adjusted one or two ~~or five~~ items with our dishes. I didn’t take a picture of Guille’s order, because it is essentially the above sans toast and home fries.

From the outside, Pete’s is an all-American greasy spoon joint. However, inside is cherry blossoms, paper lanterns, family alters, incense and other relics from a faraway homeland left behind for new beginnings. The menu, however, reflected no indication of the owners ethnicity or cultural background; it was strictly traditional American mom and pop diner fare. There is no amount of museum going, monument visiting or history studying that can capture the true essence of America or what it is to be an American like this real life situation did so succinctly.

Pete’s Diner
212 2nd Street SE
Washington DC, 20003
202.544.7335
CASH ONLY

Hours:
Mon-Fri 6a-3p
Sat-Sun 7a-3p

Review: The Sweet Lobby (Washington D.C.)

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Rachael

I’m not going to lie, Marge. It was too cold and too crowded to get a shot of the exterior of The Sweet Lobby, a Capitol Hill sweet shop dedicated to gourmet cupcakes and European treats such as macarons, madeleines, éclairs, shortbread, canelés and more. Had it not been overbearingly crowded, I would have probably sampled a bit more, but as it was, I just wanted to get a cupcake and get out of there. No time to waffle in the cupcake house! Har dee har har.

The Sweet Lobby is the brain child of Dr. Winnette McIntosh Ambrose, an engineer who balances her work in the area of vision research with owning and operating The Sweet Lobby. Within months of opening, Winnette won an episode of Cupcake Wars on The Food Network, which inspired my interest in TSL as I wanted to see if their cupcakes compared to my local (and favorite) cupcakery, My Sweet Cupcake, also winners of Cupcake Wars. I realize this is likely comparing gala to fuji apples.

Coconut Cupcake ($2.75)
coconut cupcake | cream cheese frosting | shredded coconut

This the is the cupcake my friend KD went for, one of her usual go-to cupcake flavors as it regularly satisfies any straight up coconut craving. I appreciate the gracefulness in this cupcake’s simplicity, and that the coconut flavor comes from not just a pile of shredded coconut lazily scooped on top of a vanilla cupcake, but from the base cake itself.

Strawberries and Champagne Cupcake - The Sweet Lobby

Strawberry Champagne Cupcake ($2.75)
strawberry champagne cake | white chocolate fudge filling | champagne buttercream frosting

As soon as I caught sight of the menu, I zeroed in on two flavors: chocolate mint and strawberry champagne. The chocolate mint was nowhere to be found, however, which fueled my determination to own and consume the last strawberry champagne cupcake. I had a small handful of people in front of me, but thankfully, none of them ordered this cupcake and it was all mine!
The cake was extremely soft and moist, with fresh strawberries baked into the cake. The frosting wasn’t this overbearing pile of sugar, but a hearty dollop of rich, creamy buttercream. The inside white chocolate fudge was also a surprise, and definitely contributed to the moistness. It’s an understated, elegant flavor that I recommend.

One quibble I had was that one or two cupcake flavors that are supposed to be available on Saturdays were not. I’m guessing their daily specials might have a “once we’re sold out, we’re out” policy, and they’re replaced with daily flavors. Thankfully, the special flavors seem to rotate throughout the week, so one does not have to get up early to beat the Saturday crowd.

While I could easily walk away from The Sweet Lobby and continue to call My Sweet Cupcake my favorite cupcake stop, I would never hesitate to recommend them. Their dedication to creative and classic flavor pairings is commendable, not to mention their unique Cupcake Lab, where they encourage customers to order their own desired flavor combinations. Definitely something to think about upon my return to the neighborhood.

The Sweet Lobby
404 8th Street SE
Washington DC 20003
Metro: Eastern Market Station
http://www.sweetlobby.com

Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10a-9p
Friday & Saturday: 10a-10p
Sundays: Closed

Glass of Win

adventures of a food loving, globe-trekking geek girl extraordinaire

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Review: Pete’s Diner (Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.)

Review: The Sweet Lobby (Washington D.C.)

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