Author Archives: Stoli The Foodie

Bludso’s Bar & Que

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After cleaning my barbeque slathered fingers, I had to write about this BBQ haven.  Southern California is not known for barbeque, most restaurants are chains claiming they serve “fall-off-the-bone” ribs, but Bludso’s is different and considered the best in slow-cooked meats.

Kevin Bludso, owner and pit-master at the original Compton location, has multi-generational Central Texas-style barbequing roots.  In an effort to keep him out of trouble, Kevin’s mother sent him to spend summers with his grandmother in Texas where he worked at her restaurant.  He learned all about the pit-master craft but swore he’d never get into the food service business.  Bludso worked as a corrections officer for 11 years before he left to, following in his family’s footsteps, focus on a catering business he had on the side and eventually in 2008 open a restaurant in Compton (mostly a takeout window).  Bludso has built quite the following and the restaurant was even featured on “Diners, Drive In’s and Dives,” sharing the coveted recipes for the spicy BBQ sauce and rub, his mom’s collard greens, and the “Compton Trim” (vs. St. Louis Trim).  In collaboration with Jason Bernstein and James Starr, co-owners of burger mecca Golden State, last year Bludso opened a larger and more “upscale” West Hollywood location with steel picnic tables, a bar, dessert options, outdoor and indoor seating.  The recipes are Bludso originals but the cooking and smoking are done by Noah Galuten, also from Golden State.  The meats are priced by the pound and served on paper-lined sheet trays.

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Desert Rose: Mediterranean Oasis of Los Feliz

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

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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.

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AOC: Wine, Tapas, and now Brunch!

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AOC is an L.A. gem, commonly known for its wine selection and small plates menu.  Chef Suzanne Goin’s California French menu has some Mediterranean influences and is driven by seasonal ingredients.  It is an excellent restaurant for dinner that I would recommend anytime (must tries are the arroz negro with squid with saffron aioli; brussels sprouts with pancetta and parsnip puree; grilled pork confit with potato, apples, dijon mustard, and cabbage).  Now AOC is open for bunch on the weekends!  The delicious culinary decadence of the AOC dinner menu is brought forth in a divine brunch menu.

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SteingartenLA: California-Style Beer Garden

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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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La Provence Patisserie & Cafe– Casual French

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La Provence Cafes bring a quaint French village culture to Los Angeles. From French macarons to paninis, you can’t go wrong with a visit here.  The ambiance is casual and non-pretentious.  It’s order at the counter and find an available seat style.  The baked goods here are delectable (more on that later).  The food is consistent and great. I’ve been coming to the Beverly Hills location since I was in middle school, nearly 15 years now.  The portions are a good size at very affordable prices.  I can generally get lunch for less than $15 which is great for Beverly/Brentwood.

I love the sandwiches and paninis at La Provence, they are served on baguettes that are nicely toasted on the outside and a bit soft on the inside–a nice crunchy panini.  There is an option to get half a panini with soup, chili or salad so that’s what I usually go for.  They also have one of my favorite soups in town, the country vegetable.  It’s a pureed soup and tastes more like tomato soup, but that’s just how I like it.  One of my favorite paninis is the Autogrill Special [pictured here], with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, basil and black olive tapenade ($10 + $1 with soup). My other favorite panini is the prosciutto with sauteed mushrooms, goat cheese and arugula.

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Larchmont Bungalow

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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

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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

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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

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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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