Monthly Archives: May 2011

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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Meet French Bistro

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

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Meet, a French Bistro, located where L’Hermitage Bistro used to be, is a lovely addition to the Culver City area.  This is not a typical pretentious French restaurant with exorbitant prices.  The all French wait staff is very attentive while still maintaining a very unhurried atmosphere.  Dinner is served at a French pace, no one is rushing to turn over your table, so you can have a nice leisurely meal.  The service is excellent, new plates and silverware are brought between courses, the waiters aim to be unobtrusive and always try to serve to the left and clear to the right.  We had mussels during our meal and when our bowls were full of shells they were replaced before we even realized it was necessary.  Our table had a slight wobble that we didn’t even notice, but when one of the waitresses was setting something down she noticed it and had it fixed immediately.  I was quite impressed with this unassuming establishment.  It’s located in a less congested area of Culver City so sitting out on the patio is like sitting in a little cafe in Paris and the food is just as good too.

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Miru 8691 – CLOSED

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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Bird Pick Tea & Herb

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

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With the closing of two of my favorite zen tea places in LA– Zen Zoo & T-Salon– I’ve been on the lookout for a new tea destination.  I recently tried the tea at Bird Pick and it definitely fits the bill, though it does not have the organic food options like the Zen Zoo once did and is not quite as close to West LA as I would like.  I visited the location at the Westfield Culver City Mall (the old Fox Hills Mall).

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Osteria Mozza

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

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It took me quite some time to finally dine at Osteria Mozza, and I can’t believe it did!!  With locations in Los Angeles and Singapore, Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Nancy Silverton offer high-end Italian fair, complimented by an elegant dining roomwith a Mozzarella Bar as the main centerpiece.  There is a full liquor bar backed by spectacular millwork and white marble bar tops.  The mozzarella, burrata, bocconcini and stracciatella are prepared fresh daily.  Other menu items include artisanal salumi and handmade pasta along with seafood and meat dishes.

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Yatai Asian Tapas Bar– National Spicy Tuna Day!

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

In honor of National Spicy Tuna Day I thought I’d post a recent adventure to Yatai Asian Tapas Bar.

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This is a cozy spot on Sunset, with unique interior design–the walls are slowly being covered with wine bottle corks in an every growing design.  We started our lunch with sake margaritas.  I snuck in a photo of the bartender making our drinks. LT tried the ginger sake margarita and I tried the peach.  We toasted to her birthday!

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Porto’s Bakery & Cafe

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A very generous co-worker brings Porto’s into the office every couple of weeks and this morning was one of these occasions.  Porto’s is pretty far out of the way to patron so this is pretty much the only time many of us get to enjoy the pastries and, of course, a potato ball.

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Hunan Taste

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

 

My family has been coming to Hunan Taste (now Hunan Tasty) for over 20 years; this is definitely my go-to for Chinese food.  It’s a family operated establishment, the owners to this day remember me in a high chair when my parents first started coming here.  I have yet to find a Wonton Soup in town that beats the one at Hunan Taste, but that’s just my opinion.

The family style meals are very affordable ($15/person) and delicious, including soup, foil wrapped chicken & spring rolls along with the main dishes.  My favorite dishes to get here: Kung Pao Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, Hunan Lamb, Pork In Garlic Sauce and a recent addition is their specialty chicken wings. I find the Hunan Lamb to be especially unique as it has two of my favorite ingredients: mushrooms and baby corn.  In general I love the aroma, flavor and deep color of the cooking as it is from the Hunan province in China, the consistency of the dishes every time I visit, and the homey nature of the restaurant, so I can never recommend this place highly enough.  Don’t forget to order Tsing Tsao beer to accompany your meal 🙂

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Hunan Taste dishes pictured clockwise starting from top left: Beef & Broccoli, Kung Pao Chicken, Hunan Lamb, Chicken Wings

Hunan Tasty
6031 San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036-4434
(323) 936-5621

Bruery 5 Course Beer Paired Dinner @ Steingarten LA

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

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Steingarten LA welcomed “The Bruery” for a five course beer pairing dinner to benefit http://tasteofthenationla.org/blog/ (a non- profit working to end childhood hunger by 2015).  A portion of all the ticket and beer sales went to this cause.

“The Bruery,” located in Placentia California, is one of the fastest growing new craft breweries in the country.  I’ve never had a beer paired dinner before so I was excited to attend this event– five unique beers paired with five unique food dishes.  The “brewmaster,” Patrick Rue, from the brewery was there to speak about each of the beers, along with the chef at Steingarten LA speaking about each of the dishes. Now on to the meal….

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