Category Archives: Burger

Desert Rose: Mediterranean Oasis of Los Feliz

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

Desert Rose, an oasis of warmth and tranquility in the heart of Los Feliz village, specializes in California-Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant’s namesake, a glistening statuesque glass sculpture of a rose, stands proudly in the entry, welcoming all hungry travelers to the flower garden and expansive tile patio. The area tantalizes the senses, as you are caressed by the lolling sound of fountains, cooled by the welcoming shade of umbrellas, and serenaded by the sensual strumming of a live Spanish guitar. With the delicate scents of roses and jasmine from the garden, the warmth of the sun, and the caress of the afternoon breeze… it is as if you have transported from the bustling streets of Los Angeles… to a relaxing Mediterranean terrace.  With all these, your taste buds can’t help but enjoy a leisurely and delicious meal.

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The owners of Desert Rose (D.R.) are Lebanese, so the menu is mostly comprised of traditional Lebanese dishes,  while Chef Fullilove (from Da Vinci in Beverly Hills)  joined the restaurant for a short time adding an Italian flare.  With grilled kebabs, tabbouleh and hummus from a family recipe, fresh pastas, steak and seafood, the food has great Mediterranean seasoning and is flavorful.  There is a separate Vegan menu, options range from salads and sandwiches, to pizza, wraps, and pasta.  The pizza is from Cruzer Pizza (next door), which is an excellent vegan pizzeria in LA.

There is a lovely libation menu, ample wine list and hand-selected beers on tap. Choices of note include: Ginger Mojito, Desert Rose Margarita, Spicy Senorita, and D.R. Champagne Cocktail.  But honestly, I have been enamored with the Elderflower White Sangria ($12) since my first visit to the Rose– Hess Sauvignon Blanc and St. Germain liqueur, made from handpicked elderflower blossoms, seasonal fruit and topped off with club soda.  Each juicy bite of the meal is complimented with the fruited touch of this cocktail, meanwhile the fruits are infusing with the elderflower, and the drunken berries left at the bottom of the glass are a tasty finale.

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Brunch on the patio is divine.  Chef Fullilove rolled out his special versions of Eggs Benedict, however if you prefer the traditional Eggs Benedict it is offered as well. With Smoked Salmon, Vegetarian, Deluxe Steak, and Blue Crab Cake, there is certainly a Benedict for everyone.  My favorite is the Blue Crab Cake Benedict ($18) with blue crab cake, asparagus, poached organic eggs and hollandaise on an English muffin, served with D.R. multi-color potatoes.  The crab cakes have large morsels of crab, no fillers, that melt with the egg yolk, and the colorful potatoes are rich in a rainbow of nutrients.

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A healthier breakfast option is Breakfast Pita ($11)– Scrambled organic eggs, spinach, feta, olives, tomatoes in fresh, fluffy pita bread served with D.R. potatoes.  I like to add turkey bacon ($4) and replace the potatoes with fresh fruit.

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The appetizers consist of mostly traditional Lebanese dishes– Hummus with pita bread, Tabbouleh and Warmed Mediterranean Olives.  The Frito Misto is a bit off the beaten path with a variety of lightly fried calamari, shrimp, artichokes and fennel served with lemon aioli and cocktail sauce.  The two most unique of the small dishes are Kebbe and Harissa-Rubbed Baked Brie.

Kebbe ($12) is beef meatballs stuffed with pine nuts and onions served on yogurt mint sauce.  They are lightly fried, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside with added texture from the large slices of pine nuts and the sauce renders each bite a little minty and sour.

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The Harissa-Rubbed Baked Brie ($12) has fresh brie rubbed with Traditional Middle Eastern Spices and baked to perfection, served with sliced apples, strawberry and crostini. It is an amalgam of flavors with the spicy crust of the soft, melty brie, sweet strawberries and tart green apple slices.

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More traditional are the sandwiches.  Beef Shawarma ($13) is a Mediterranean Style Wrap with thinly sliced grilled beef, red onions, mixed herbs and tahini sauce.

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The Mint-Garlic Lamb Burger ($14) with feta cheese, fries and salad.  The fries can be substituted with sweet potatoes fries or truffle fries with gruyere ($7) . Each bite of the burger is juicy and enhanced by the lightly salted feta and hints of mint.

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Entrees include such Lebanese treats as Beef Kebab and Chicken Kebab.  These Mediterranean plates are served with grilled marinated meat, hummus & garlic sauce and choice of rice, fries or tabbouleh. Here I ordered the Chicken Kebab ($13) with tabbouleh.  The tabbouleh is a bit heavy on the parsley but still more preferable than the rice or fries.  The meats are simple, spiced and grilled to perfection.  The hummus is very creamy with a lovely distribution of olive and tahini oil and served with pita wedges that are covered in spices, chopped parsley and tomatoes.

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It’s difficult to resist finishing a meal here without a cup of coffee, tea, or affogato and a delectable dessert chosen from the display case inside.  The menu includes creme brulee with berries ($8) and warm lava cake ($8).  Some of the irresistible desserts displayed when venturing inside the restaurant are white cream cake with fruits decorated atop, chocolate mouse, various cheesecakes and tarts…

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The coffee & tea is served in poetically rhyming Pasquini cup — For Music Puccini, For Art Bernini, For Espresso Pasquini.  Affogato is served in a martini glass with a scoop of vanilla bean gelato topped with a shot of hot espresso. Shown here is an affogato ($6) with apple caramel cheesecake ($7), coffee ($3), and double chocolate cheesecake ($7).

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Desert Rose is on a pedestal in my mind — the dining experience is a relaxing escape.  The mellow ambiance sitting on the cozy, yet spacious, garden patio transforms the body into serenity.  A rarity in LA, there is always a table available outside where you can relax for hours (even after finishing the meal) — I have to be torn away from my seat each time I leave the restaurant.  It is a delicious neighborhood spot with quality food, wide selection of beverages, friendly & attractive staff, good service, dog-friendly and a great vibe.

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Besides a brilliant brunch and Happy Hour, Desert Rose also serves up lunch and dinner every day.  Weekend brunch is from 10AM-3PM.  Happy Hour is from 3-6 PM daily with the lounge menu fit to share with friends. Thursday Happy Hour is available all night and 25% discount for Facebook fans. In the evenings a warm and romantic vibe is transmitted through the air, sitting under the twinkling lights, enhanced by the heat lamps and music. There is live music (jazz evenings) Thursday through Saturday nights, and during Sunday brunch.  Parking is available in the residential neighborhood down the street and, alternately, valet is $5.

Desert Rose Restaurant & Lounge
1700 N. Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-666-1166
www.desertroserestaurant.com

Royal/T Cafe: Fusion Cafe, Shop, Art Space

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

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Royal/T Cafe is a restaurant/art gallery that celebrates Japan’s tea culture and is inspired by Tokyo’s maid cafes with the waitresses dressed in maid uniforms.  A wide variety of teas are offered alongside Japanese influenced food with a California touch.  The multi-purpose space is in a large warehouse with exposed trusses, wooden beams, industrial skylights and full-length wall display cases which create a unique vibe for the cafe as well events and art exhibits.

The five-year project is concluding and the Culver City space will be closing its doors sometime in Summer 2012.  Fortunately, there will still be upcoming roaming special events, exhibits and pop-ups in the Los Angeles area. The venue’s final show, “The Art of Cooking,” will run April 27 through Aug. 1, 2012.

The menu offers an array of over 24 types of loose-leaf teas (hot and iced) as well as coffee blends in small or large pots.  The teas range from traditional to modern.  The cafe’s signature is the Royal/T Milk Tea, a unique combination of Black Tea with rose petals, and pieces of fruit and vanilla, brewed in Soymilk ($4).  Another nice tea blend is the Kyoto Sunset Tea, a mix of apricot and premium Ceylon Black Tea ($4).  Shown here is the Rooibos Lemonade (iced), a refreshing blend of Green Rooibos, lemongrass, lemon peel, lemon myrtle and calendula ($4) and a large pot of Megami Sencha (hot), a delicious Green Tea with jade intensity ($7).

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They also offer a high tea served with choice of small pot ($20).  This one features the beautiful jasmine budding tea, small sandwiches (such as cream cheese & lox, grilled veggie panini, and spicy tuna on grilled toast), brownie bites, red-velvet cake-pop, scone and assorted berries.

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The food at the cafe is a mixture of California classics and Far East fare. There are many options from soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers to spicy tuna tartar, soba, chicken katsu curry and rice bowls. Brunch options are also available :)

An excellent starter is Crispy Tuna Tartar ($9), crispy rice wrapped in nori topped with spicy tuna.

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The Kobe Beef Sliders ($10), also appetizers, are irresistibly cooked to a perfect medium-well on toasted mini brioche buns. There are three sliders each with a different topping: tomato chutney, blue cheese & caramelized onions, and quail egg.  The one top with quail egg is my favorite, offering a delicate savory flavor to the slider, but blue cheese & caramelized onions is a close second.

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Chicken Katsu Sandwich with mixed greens ($12) is very fresh and filling. This is a slightly different take on traditional Katsu with crispy panko breaded chicken, Napa cabbage slaw and a spicy mayo, on a ciabatta roll and includes a side salad or sweet potato fries.

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Soba Salad ($7) is listed as an appetizer, with buckwheat noodles cooked al dente, carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, sesame seeds, ponzu dressing is light, but can certainly be a whole meal.  These buckwheat noodles in a light ponzu are a must-try.

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Along with selling Royal/T loose-leaf teas, the retail shop offers an eclectic assortment of tea/coffee accessories, home decor, Japanese Pop Art, jewelry, toys, and other Harajuku-esque chachkies….

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Here is a glimpse into “The Art Of Cooking” – a new food and art themed exhibit that brings new meaning to “food for thought.”

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Confettisystem (2012), a site specific installation. Giant peaches, silver pineapples and a metallic disco banana made from the same materials as a pinata.  Also, join the World of Mr. Toast at the pop-up shop with Joe the Egg, Miles Ice Pop and Shaky Bacon.

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Flour LA burger, fries and ketchup flower arrangement.

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Maho Sushi Favorite Assortment (2008), acrylic on plastic food sample.

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Enjoy some tea, Asian-Fusion treats and peruse the art/retail store while you still can! Parking available at meters or around the corner (behind the restaurant) in a lot marked with a pink crown.

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Royal/T Cafe
8910 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 559-6300
Café: 10am – 5pm daily
Shop & Space: 10am – 6pm daily
http://www.royal-t.org/

SteingartenLA: California-Style Beer Garden

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

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SteingartenLA brings a California rendition of a German-beer-hall, complete with brews and brats, to the Westside.  Steingarten opened in a wave of German-themed establishments that popped up around town in the past few years—Wurstkuche, Biergarten, Bru Haus… Just stumbling distance from me, I could not be more thrilled this establishment is in my neighborhood [at the old Kay & Dave's location on Pico].  The decor features a fully stocked dark wood bar, rustic chalkboard menu, colorful dining room with high ceilings & open-air retractable roof, some communal tables, and a beautiful outdoor patio: Califorinia-style beer garden with a custom-built fire pit and tables/benches.  The menu offers unique items such as exotic sausages with regular or pretzel bun, deer salami, chicken schnitzel sandwich and sides such as parmesan fries or red cabbage slaw; it’s divided into: small bites, salads, sandwiches, sausages and burgers. Even the dipping sauces are one of a kind—Steingarten mustard sauce (Dijon with a bit of horseradish) and curry ketchup. Also keep in mind, no meal here is complete without a BEER!

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The specialty here is beer.   Steingarten offers an incredible selection including an extensive CRAFT beer collection (both draft and bottled), 120 to choose from.  There are Pint Nights with reps available; some notables were with Deschutes, Lagunitas, Firestone Walker, Stone Brewing Co., and Ballast Point Brewing Co.  The beers are rotated every 3 to 4 weeks.  I’ve tried a wide variety of the craft beers, here are some good ones:

Firestone Walker Solace (wheat ale crisp with citrus finish)

Stone IPA (fruity, hoppy India Pale Ale featuring Magnum and Centennial hops)

Bruery Mischief (strong pale ale)

Bruery Autumn Maple (American strong with big finish)

NC Old Rasputin (imperial stout- rich with cocao & malt finish)

Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Deschutes Black Butte (extremely dark, chocolate stout)

The bar staff is helpful and very knowledgeable; take the opportunity to try something new, perhaps with a  fruity, floral, sour or chocolatey finish.  Dave Watrous, “beer evangelist,” is your go-to man to make a selection or pairing off the extensive menu.  They also offer fabulous beer cocktails—fantastic for sipping on, while sitting on the patio, basking in the sun & breeze, with a delicious sausage.

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Which brings me to the menu….

SMALL BITES
Soft Pretzel ($5) The pretzels are not in traditional form and are glazed with a salty egg wash instead of just crusted with salt; I really like this version. Served with house mustard, the bit of horseradish definitely adds a kick to it!

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Korean BBQ Nachos ($12) is a NEW 2012 item.  A colorfully creative German take on “nachos,” consisting of golden brown thinly sliced Red Bliss potatoes, short ribs, scallions, Monterey Jack, and chipotle cream, the dish is an excellent addition to the menu.  You can’t go wrong with meat & potatoes, and I love the spice from the chipotle cream as well as the scallions.

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Trio of sliders ($9) includes beef, BBQ pulled pork, and turkey burger sliders.   The three sliders are all unique in flavor and texture and have nicely toasted mini buns. The pulled pork is the most flavorful, a bit spicy and topped with pickled carrots and jalapeno. The turkey slider is the lightest of the three, extremely flavorful with herbs and topped with caramelized onions and roasted garlic. The beef slider balances the other two, juicy and savory with hormone free ground sirloin. Combined here with Cuvee de Jacobins (flander red, sweet with tart fruit finish) a tasty sour beer.

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SALADS

Roasted Beet Salad ($10)  is a great dish for beet lovers or anyone looking for lighter fare.  The salad consists of crispy lettuce, herbs, orange slices, shaved Parmesan, champagne dressing and grilled chicken can be added for that additional protein ($3.50).  All the ingredients are fresh from New Maggies Farm.

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SAUSAGES

Sausages range from the traditional old country (bratwurst) to exotics from the new country (duck and bacon) to gamey (alligator and pork) to vegetarian (apple and sage) ($6.50-$7.50). In lieu of a traditional sausage with bun, there is also a sausage platter on which you can pick one from each category, along with two toppings ($20). Toppings include sauerkraut, spicy pepper & onions, caramelized onions, grilled bell peppers and chopped onions.  Sausages are served with Steingarten mustard sauce, curry tomato sauce, Cornish pickles and a little German potato salad.  My favorite topping is the caramelized onions, they add a pleasant sweetness to any sausage and are cooked down well.  There is also an option of regular bun or pretzel bun (always toasted).  Here are a few combinations I’ve tried and enjoyed:

Alligator and Pork Sausage topped with grilled bell peppers ($7.50).  The sausage is delicious, but I find the bell pepper to be a bit of an overpowering flavor.

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Duck & Bacon Sausage topped with sauerkraut on pretzel bun ($7).  The sausage is tasty and one I would get again, but it’s hard to taste the bacon.  The sauerkraut is very fresh and I like that it’s not too sour or overpowering.

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There is also a beer & sausage happy hour on weekdays from 5pm-7pm.  $5 House Tap Beers, $5 New or Old Country Sausage, $3 sides.  I love to take advantage of this special when I can.  One great happy hour combo I had was a Lagunitas Lucky 13 Alt (alt bier, refreshing with light sweet finish) with chicken and sun-dried tomato & basil sausage (caramelized onions topping) and a side house salad.  The sausage is extremely plump and juicy, great with the caramelized onions on top. The house salad is also fabulous with unique cucumber presentation on top.

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BURGERS

The burgers are made from 100% grass-fed, hormone-free ground sirloin.  The burger meat arrives pre-ground and is formed into 8-ounce patties each morning.  The meat is juicy and tender and cooked to a perfect medium-rare each time.  The owner did much research finding the best bun possible, many vendors were tested. The current French burger buns from Melrose Bakery Company are a winner and delivered fresh daily. They are nicely toasted and do not fall apart from the juiciness of the burger.  The burgers on the menu are masterpieces in themselves but there is also the option for patrons to build their own ($12) with toppings including feta cheese and applewood bacon ($1 each) along with five sauces.  Here are some of the burgers off the menu, each delicious in its own right.  I still can’t decide if the chef’s choice or golden prize is better, you’ll just have to try both!

Chef’s Choice burger has bacon, smoked mozzarella, Steingarten mustard sauce ($14)

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Golden Prize Burger, a half-pound of grass-fed beef on a big, soft bun, with herb roasted tomatoes, caramelized onion Brie and roasted garlic sauce ((15) with sweet potato fries.

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The fries ($5) deserve special attention: The peel-on skinny fries are cut in-house and cooked in canola oil (soy oil upon request).  They are seasoned perfectly and delicious with the aged Parmesan and served in a metal cone shaped basket along with garlic aioli sauce and curry ketchup.  They also offer delicious sweet potato fries.

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From the hostess to the servers to the bartenders, everyone tries to create a great dining experience.  However, no one does a better job than Abbey Berookhim, Director Of Operations.  He is an extremely kind man who is genuinely appreciative of your business.  I always enjoy chatting with him; it’s very nice that he tries to make a personal connection with his customers.

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Most recently when I visited he brought over their new “special green sauce” for my friend and me to try.  This is a blended combination of fresh garlic, extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar and various herbs.  We were discussing how delicious the pretzel bun is, they created their own recipe and have the bakery make it special for them, and how Steingarten should incorporate it into a sandwich.  On the spot he came up with a new dish idea and insisted we try it.  A few minutes later he came out with a sample chicken sandwich on pretzel bun with a little bit of Steingarten sauce, tomato, onions, sauerkraut and the special green sauce.  I am not the biggest fan of chicken sandwiches but I loved this one! I am excited to see it on the menu soon!

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Overall, SteingartenLA is beautifully designed, has great service, a fabulous gourmet & craft beer selection, a delicious as well as rare food combination, is great for large groups/occasions, and has a lovely outdoor patio for a sunny LA day or in the evening sitting by the built-in fire-pit with friends or even a date. I’ve been here countless times and plan on coming back many more, especially for the Pint Nights!

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SteingartenLA
10543 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 441-0441

Larchmont Bungalow

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

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Breakfast all day, like music to my ears!  Larchmont Bugalow is located in the charming Larchmont village.  The cafe is set up like a little country home with an antique coffee grinder displayed in the front window; an old school stove where you can get water and fix-ins for your coffee; a living room area with a fireplace and couch; a patio area in the back with additional seating.  At the counter you see the delicious assortment of muffins and other baked goods they offer, such as macarons, cupcakes, cakes… You order at the counter and sit wherever there is room available.

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We really enjoyed our meal here.  My friend ordered the Garden Omelet ($14 and you can substitute the toast for oatmeal for $1) and I had trouble deciding on which omelet I wanted most so I got their unique option of Mini Omelet Sliders where you can select any 2 of their signature omelets ($17).  I went with the Fajita Omelet and Cobb Omelet.  I loved them both, a good tasting size yet hearty.  The lattes were very good, but just not as good as a Spanish Latte from Urth Cafe.  I think I need to try a couple others they offer on the menu.  The breakfast specials come with a choice of potatoes, fruit salad or garden salad.  We both chose the fruit salad– there is a variety of fresh fruit with nicely presented balled melons and sliced strawberries.

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Garden Omelet: Egg white omelet with sauteed spinach, grilled zucchini, grilled asparagus and fresh goat cheese.  The toast comes with individual jars of jam, a nice touch that I haven’t seen in LA in quite some time.

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Fajita Omelet Slider: Fajita seasoned chicken, roasted peppers, caramelized onions, and black beans topped with crème fraîche, salsa, and shredded tortillas.

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Cobb Omelet Slider: Chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and Pt. Reyes bleu cheese topped with avocado.

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As a brunch dessert we split a half order of their famous Red & Blue Velvet pancakes with creme cheese filling (Half Order $9 Regular $14).

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It’s like the 4th of July on your plate. The pancakes are fluffy yet just dense enough, not too sweet (add the syrup if you have a sweet tooth) and the creme cheese with candied walnuts are a great accompaniment.  I really enjoyed indulging in this decadent treat.

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Larchmont Bungalow is open for breakfast lunch and dinner.  There are so many things I still want to try.  Some other great breakfast options are the huevos rancheros, breakfast burrito, challah french toast or the Seafood Lover’s Omelet (with lobster, shrimp, fresh blue crab, and spinach topped with a truffle hollandaise).  Other highlights on the lunch/dinner menu include includes burgers (Bison Burger), burger sliders (Mexican Burger and Greco Burger), salads (Lobster cobb), crepes, wraps, sandwiches, fish (pistachio crusted fish & chips), steak and lobster.  They offer a bunch of different Southern specials like the Southern Fried Chicken Wrap, Louisiana Cajun Wrap, Pulled Pork and Southern BBQ Baby Back Ribs.

Parking is a little difficult, there are 2 hour paid spaces along Larchmont Boulevard and some free residential parking as well.  It’s self-serve seating and can get very busy in the morning.  We arrived a little before 11AM on a Saturday and were able to find a table without a problem.  By the time we left, around 12:30, there was a line out the door.  The food is a bit overpriced, though on par with Urth Cafe, but there are Living Social and Groupon deals available. The service is a bit scattered, we had to find someone to clean our table when we sat down, but everyone is extremely friendly and I think the food is worth it.

The receipt has this memo, “Bungalow coffee is committed to promoting environmental, social and economical sustainability.  We are continually evolving with our lines of organic, sustainable and earth-friendly products by working with coffee farmers, donating to the Humana Foundation and educating the coffee lover to make the world a better place… starting with a cup of coffee!”

Larchmont Bungalow
107 N Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 461-1528
http://www.larchmontbungalow.com/

Miru 8691

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

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Miru 8691 is currently my favorite Japanese/Korean fusion restaurant in LA, a gem hidden away in a nondescript strip mall.  This restaurant has an extensive menu ranging from sushi rolls to noodles to bibimbop to tacos & burritos to burgers and more.  While many restaurants that have such large menus generally have mediocre food, this place beats the odds and delivers something unique and delicious each time at affordable prices– there are happy hour specials all the time as well as great lunch specials.  Chef Miru Jung and his brother Calvin put their hearts in each dish and pay great attention to presentation and detail. The decor is clean and chiq, definitely a bit kitschy with LV patterned booths, plastic white tables and colorful lighting, reflecting the hip fusion food.  The music is great too, they play dance, techno and house.  It’s one of my go-to places when I am looking for fusion sushi, comfort food or to try something new as there is always something more to discover on the menu.  It’s all about the food here, the restaurant has a very laid back vibe.  The service can be a bit slow at times, but I can tell the owners care about their customers so just come with a bit of patience because the food doesn’t disappoint.  I’ve been here many times and want to share the variety of items I’ve tried in my visits.

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They have a nice drink menu with soju cocktails, beer, beer floats and sake.   The image at the top of this post features the Yuso Mojito with yuza citrus, shiso, mint, lime and rhumbero.  Here also is the Lychee Sangria ($8, HH $5) with lychee fruit floating at the bottom…

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And the beer float ($9) with mango ice cream…it’s like an adult root beer float…more delicious than you can imagine…

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It’s hard not to get too much food but here are some of the appetizers to choose from, like the popcorn lobster & scallop [half order] ($9).

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One of the must-get dishes here is the Calvin Fries ($12) with spicy tuna, tomato and melted cheese.  These fusion fries have me coming back often when I am in search of comfort food.

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The happy hour menu is great for appetizers.  Two of my favorite appetizers to get are the Mini Shrimp Udon ($5) and Bom Crispy Rice ($5/two pieces or $9 full portion).  The Bom is Miru’s version of spicy tuna on crispy rice with jalapeno on top.  The Udon is comes with tempura shrimp, soy broth, tofu and scallion.

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The soups are all very satisfying and can be a meal on their own depending on how hungry you are.  Options vary from udon, ramen and pho… When the soup is brought out they pour the broth into the bowl at your table, another touch of presentation I enjoy. The Pork Belly Ramen ($12) before the miso broth is poured looks like a beautiful reef at the bottom of the ocean and has fried kimchi, tofu, enoki mushrooms, scallions, slices of pork belly and poached egg.  The tender slides of pork belly mix with the flowing egg creating a harmoniously bowl of ramen.

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The sushi rolls, baked rolls and fusion rolls are always a surprise.  They are unique works of art you ALMOST feel bad digging into, but are irresistible when they taste just as good as they look. Two specialties rolls here are FIRE (spicy tuna, jalapeno, garlic ponzu topped with seared albacore and crispy onions) and Shrimp & Lobster (shrimp tempura, crab, masago, mustard-soy in soy paper topped with lobster salad and avocado).

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The Rainbow Roll ($15) is a different masterpiece each time, it’s made at Chef Miru’s discretion.

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My favorite fusion roll is the Surf & Turf ($15).  Just as the name describes it’s a spicy tuna roll topped with Korean bbq short rib, lobster and is garnished with crunch flakes, masago and sweet chili.  While it may sound unusual to have meat on a sushi roll, the short rib is braised and melts right into all the warm flavors of this decadent dish.

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The sashimi is always fresh and an order of the yellowtail comes in salsa, ponzu and with jalapeno on top.

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Most notable are the BURGERS here at Miru 8691.  One of my favorites is the Spicy Tuna Miru Burger ($12), another delicious fusion creation.  The burger has a Korean BBQ beef patty topped with raw spicy tuna, roasted tomato, cheese, garlic aioli, Miru glaze and crispy onions.  This burger is worth every last messy bite!  The curly fries and spicy ketchup are a perfect side combo as well.

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When I was here last week they got the news that their OG burger [chili burger] was rated #1 on www.theburgerreview.com.  Miru also sent out a sample of a new burger they may be putting on the menu for my friend and me to try, Kuro Burger.  This is a play on a Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwich, the burger consists of fresh cut “kurobuta” pork belly seasoned with “hamcho” salt, glazed with honey balsamic and miso mustard on bahn mi pickles on top of a Korean BBQ patty (served with sweet potato chips and curly fries).  I definitely recommend trying one of the Miru Fusion Burgers.

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Finally, dessert… Here is the Choco Lava ($7) with vanilla ice cream but also great with green tea ice cream.

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Other dessert options include, but are not limited to, tempura ice cream and mochi trio.  Even the mochi presentation is unique…

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The menu is pretty extensive but you really can’t go wrong with anything you order. Mouth watering yet…?

Miru 8691
9162 West Olympic Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212-3540
(310) 777-8378
http://www.miru8691.com