hide and seek

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sorry guys – didn’t mean to disappear on you for a few months. the combination of starting a new job last fall, along with celebrating the holidays down under,  and then getting back into the swing of things, meant less time for me to blog. however, i’ve still been keeping up with my instagram feed, so i hope everyone has been enjoying my food pics.

i thought i’d start off 2017 with a short and sweet post about my favorite sushi spot, hide. it is a somewhat hidden gem right in the midst of  little osaka (aka sawtelle / japantown / west LA.) my husband introduced me to hide almost a decade ago, and it’s been our go-to ever since. we just love how simple, fresh and delicious their sushi is, and not to mention super affordable. we always order a bunch of stuff and rarely pay over 50 bucks, which is pretty rare these days at most quality sushi restaurants. it’s such a no-frills kind of place without all those gimmicks and crazy rolls. just good, clean fish and great, quick service. however, do note that it’s cash only (they have an ATM inside) and no reservations. major plus: THEY HAVE PARKING! there’s a valet lot behind the restaurant, which is free with validation. if any of you have tried to find parking on sawtelle on a busy weekend night, then you know how key this is.

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as far as recommendations, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. my husband tends to be a bit more adventurous than me, so i usually stick to what i know and like. although i will try something new once in awhile. during our last visit, i tried their sea bream sushi (bottom left) which was very good.

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winner winner, chicken dinner

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the other weekend i decided to finally get a couple of roast chickens to go from marouch, a family-run lebanese / armenian restaurant in east hollywood.

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my husband and i love a good roast chicken, and are the best team when it comes to eating one: he likes dark meat, while i prefer the white. we kept hearing all this buzz about marouch and their farrouj (barbecued whole chicken.)

here’s what you should know before placing your order:

  • minimum two chickens per order
  • call at least 2 hours beforehand (the chickens are cooked to order)

luckily i called them on a saturday afternoon, as they informed me that sundays are their busiest and do not accept chicken orders then. we got 2 birds, which were nicely quartered for us.

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our order also came with a plethora of rice, garlic sauce, pita bread, olives and pickles. all of that food came out to $20 + tax & tip, and it seriously lasted us for 4 days. talk about a deal!

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oh, and did i mention how delicious our feast was? the chickens were cooked perfectly, and the garlic sauce wasn’t too overpowering. marouch’s service was on point as well. i dealt with one of the owners, serge, and he couldn’t have been lovelier. i highly, highly recommend.

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bird is the word.

breaking bread

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a couple months ago, i stumbled across a bread stall at the beverly hills farmers market. since i’m fairly low carb these days, i was trying my best not to stop, but then they waved a free sample in my direction. how can i deny a free cube of freshly baked bread?? i’m not even sure what kind it was – all i know is it was downright delicious, and i wanted more. i managed to resist buying a loaf that day, and instead took note of their bakery / cafe in culver city. they’re called lodge bread co. and bake all of their breads on site. each loaf is handmade and uses organic, seasonal ingredients.

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lodge also has a wide array of baked goods, such as cakes, cookies, and massive cinnamon buns. from tuesday through sunday 8a-4p, they serve dishes like avocado toast and shakshouka, as well as coffee and tea. and then on sunday nights from 5-8p (or until sold out) they’re making and selling pizza pies with seasonal toppings.

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after drooling over their instagram feed, i decided to venture over for breakfast on one of my cheat days. it’s a small, bright, hip space – and word is, they’re expanding to both a pizza joint next door and a bread truck by early next year. i sat at the counter and watched the friendly crew knead mounds of dough, slice fresh loaves, and prepare ordered dishes. i was just about to go with the always-satisfying avocado toast, but the cinnamon sugar toast (on their country raisin bread) was calling to me instead. i was slightly hesitant since i’m not a raisin fan; however, this toast won me over. their cold brew was spot on as well.

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i had such a great first experience at lodge that i brought my friend along with me a few weeks later. we went a little crazy and got two kinds of toast AND a cinnamon bun. even with us sharing the bun, we still weren’t able to finish – it’s just that huge.

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i also bought a loaf of their country sourdough to take home. let’s just say, it didn’t last very long in our house.

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lodge bread co. was recently voted one of the best bread bakeries in LA, and i wholeheartedly agree. it even bumped la brea bakery out of the top slot as my personal favorite. i absolutely love the cozy, local feel of both the bakery and the bread itself.

and in the words of this phenomenal woman:

giphy

bananarama

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as i’ve mentioned before, ice cream is my weakness. few things in life make me happier than a scoop (or two!) of that cold, creamy goodness. i even started making my own when i got an ice cream maker a few years back – remember my awesome batch of butter pecan?? lately, though, i’ve been trying to be “better” and not have as much (if not any) during the week. my husband and i can easily go through a pint in one sitting (especially if it’s mcconnell’s.) so i found a healthier alternative to make at home: 2-ingredient banana ice cream. i’m sure many of you have heard of / tried this before, but i only recently discovered & am now officially addicted. it’s ridiculously easy & super delicious. i shared the recipe with my mom during a recent visit, and she too is hooked. i actually make a 3-ingredient version, which i highly recommend. you can find numerous versions of this recipe online, or, like me, just customize the 2-ingredient base to however you like it. this is great for anyone looking for a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free treat that tastes amazing.

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2-ingredient banana ice cream

ingredients:

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • unsweetened almond milk* (feel free to use another plant based milk)

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directions:

peel and cut bananas into either coin-size rounds or quarter slices. place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet or in freezer bag and freeze for at least 2 hours. once frozen, put banana slices into a food processor (blender will work too) with a few splashes of almond milk. blend the ingredients until smooth. you may need to scrape down the sides and/or break up some of the banana clumps, as well as add a little more almond milk if necessary. once the mixture is at a nice consistency, spoon it into a bowl & dig in!

tips:

  • this can also be a 1-ingredient recipe by just pureeing the frozen bananas
  • you don’t have to use milk as your 2nd ingredient, but i feel like it contributes to the overall creaminess.
  • some options for a 2nd (or 3rd) ingredient include peanut butter (my fave!), nutella (used it in a batch last week – fantastic!), cacao or cocoa powder, and other fruits (blueberries, strawberries, etc.)
  • if you’re using additional ingredients, i suggest doing 1 tablespoon of each to start, and then taste tasting to see if it needs more. i like to put them in near the end, when the bananas are almost fully pureed.
  • you can freeze the ice cream in an airtight container for up to 1 week, but i prefer eating it right away, as it has more of that soft-serve consistency.

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summer in the city

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looking for something new, different & fun to do this weekend? then i highly suggest you head over to smorgasburg LA on sunday – trust me, you won’t regret it. the best way to describe smorgasburg is a food festival meets flea market, which is basically my dream. approximately 50 food vendors and almost 20 lifestyle vendors take up space at the alameda produce market in the arts district downtown. every sunday from 10a-6p, you can get your eat and shop on in a very cool, eclectic space. sometimes there are themed events with additional vendors, like an ice cream bonanza (which i sadly missed) and barbecue day (this weekend!) i mean it doesn’t get any better than that. with so many great dining options, i was seriously overwhelmed on my initial visit (highlights below.) i came there with a list of vendors i really wanted to try, but i just couldn’t do it all (or some of them weren’t there that day.) the original smorgasburg started in brooklyn a few years back, and i had always wanted to check it out on one of my return trips. but then i heard rumblings of it coming to LA, which finally came true this june. a group of us (which included other fellow NY transplants) went last month (on a super hot day of course!) and happily gorged ourselves. i’m already looking forward to my next visit (might even take my parents when they’re in town.) i honestly think it’s one of the best ways to experience LA’s diverse culinary offerings in one place.

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if you’re thinking of hitting up smorgasburg in the near future, here are some helpful tips:

  • go early to beat both the heat and long lines at some of the food stalls
  • since it’s on a big open lot, the sun can be pretty brutal, so be sure to wear sunscreen and stop by the misting tent to cool down
  • pace yourself – there’s lots of yummy stuff to try – don’t overdo it – you can always come back!
  • most of the vendors take cards, but it’s still good to bring some cash as well
  • make sure to bring picture ID if you plan to hit the beer garden

 

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a cold brew from stand coffee to start

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my hearty brekkie: prosciutto, peach jam & butter from good gravy bakes

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been waiting a couple years to try ugly drum pastrami, and it was well worth it!

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the hubs got a pork belly paratha taco from goa taco

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showing some NYC love for red hook lobster pound

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cooled off with a michelada from michemobil

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seemed fitting to buy this vintage print from capricorn press

hangry & oats

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see what i did there??

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it’s been too hot lately to make batches of homemade granola, so i’ve been resorting to overnight oats, or bircher muesli, for breakfast instead. it’s hearty and healthy, requires no cooking, and is waiting for you when you wake up. what more could you want? i’ve used the below recipe for the last few years – it’s super quick & easy. there are tons of other recipes on the internet, especially pinterest.

chia seed bircher muesli

ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats, NOT steel cut or instant
  • 1 container (6 oz) greek yogurt (i use fage total 0%)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tsp chia seeds
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp nuts (i use chopped pecans)
  • 1/4 cup diced fresh fruit OR 2 tbsp dried fruit (i usually use dried tart / sour cherries)

directions:

add all ingredients in a pint size mason jar. secure lid and shake well. store in refrigerator overnight. enjoy chilled the next morning.

tips:

feel free to use whatever favorite ingredients you desire – yogurt, spice, extracts, nuts and fruits. lately i’ve been drizzling a bit of honey and sprinkling some unsweetened coconut flakes on top right before eating to add a little more sweetness & crunch. sprouts sells really cute pint jars for like 2 bucks, but you can find cheap ones online as well. i also stock up on a lot of these ingredients when i’m at sprouts, since most of them are in the bulk bins.

note:

it’s not the prettiest looking meal, but definitely makes up for that in taste!

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recipe courtesy of better recipes

 

hangry on hiatus

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 in the words of justin bieber, is it too late now to say…

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first off, i want to apologize for not blogging in over a year. i really didn’t think anyone would notice, but i had lots of people asking me when my next post would be. “soon, soon,” i would always respond. but then i would just put it off, making excuses like not having time or wanting to redesign my site (both of which are true though!) however, i was, and still am, very ardent about maintaining my instagram feed. i just need to carry that over to my blog as well. that being said, i want to thank my followers for all the kind words and patience.

secondly, what a year it’s been! here are some of the highlights:

  • classpass: i’ve been a member since last march, and absolutely love it. makes me feel less guilty about all the beer, burgers & ice cream i tend to consume each week.

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my weekly therapy session occurs here

  • speaking of burgers, shake shack has finally arrived in LA! they opened their first west coast location a few months ago, and it’s down the street from me in west hollywood (read: dangerous!) i’ll probably do a shake shack vs. in-n-out post soon, but let’s just say it’s a tight race so far (cue some biggie & tupac.)

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a typical night in weho…

  • cold brew: i know it’s been around for awhile, and i first had it some years back, but as of recently i’ve become rather hooked. you can pretty much find it in any coffee spot these days, even starbucks! i made a batch at home too, so keep an eye out for that future post.

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cold brew with hazelnut milk from bar nine

  • another craze i’ve joined is acai bowls. i always thought they were merely yogurt & granola parfaits, but boy was i wrong. i even got my husband hooked on them – he initially thought it was ice cream. our favorite spot is backyard bowls, which is next to blue bottle – basically the best breakfast combo!

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my go-to weekend brekkie: berry bowl and new orleans cold brew

  • the hubs and i went to europe for the holidays last year. we ate & drank our way through london & paris. it truly was a magical trip, and hopefully we’ll make it back one day – there’s just so much more to explore…and eat!

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still dreaming about this raclette sandwich…

  • smorgasburg LA: another NYC transplant that arrived in june, and we’re extremely glad they did. made our first visit this past weekend, and i’ll be blogging about it shortly (as well as making several return visits.) i cannot recommend it enough – it’s an ideal LA foodie experience!

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the sign says it all

  • snapchat: i’ve had a personal snapchat account for a few years now, but decided to create one for the blog, since most of my snaps were / are of food anyways. here’s my snapcode if you’d like to follow along:

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lastly, i want to give a quick shout out to my husband, trevor. he’s been pushing me to get back into blogging because he knows how much i love food and writing about it. thanks, hun, for always believing in me, for the never ending support, and for being the best damn foodie adventure partner (oh, and spouse) around!

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love this man (and this picnic!)

OK so i hope i was able to win you guys back over with this post. i have a lot of things planned for the blog, so please stay tuned to find out. i promise i won’t disappoint you again!

cheers,

hangry in LA

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photo credit: trevor smith / food credit: gus’s fried chicken

local lowdown: tasty noodle house

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hangry new year, everyone! i know it’s been a minute since i blogged, but the past couple months have been slightly crazed. i started a new gig in december, which was then followed by a (much needed!) vacation in australia. i hope you guys were able to follow some of my australian hanger via instagram – it was pretty epic!

unfortunately the holidays are now over, and it’s back to the grind. my company is located in pasadena, which means a whole new area for me to explore. this includes the rest of the san gabriel valley, aka the heart and soul of asian cuisine in los angeles. my first trip to SGV was about 9 years ago, where i was introduced to pho in alhambra. sadly, i haven’t made it back over there since then. however, now that i’m working in pasadena, i foresee plenty of SGV foodie adventures in the near future!

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my friend brian, co-founder and CEO of bowld, was excited when he found out i was employed not too far from his favorite chinese restaurant. i was even more psyched to have some legit chinese food, which i’ve been searching for since moving to LA ten years ago. so far, my go-to’s have been mostly on the westside: mao’s kitchen and hu’s szechwan. the furthest i would go was downtown for yang chow‘s slippery shrimp. anyways, brian was a little hesitant about sharing this hidden treasure with me. he was worried that me blogging about it would have a bourdain-style effect (flattered by the comparison, dude.) luckily, he finally gave in, and we met for lunch at tasty noodle house in san gabriel.

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since i was running late, i told brian to order for us – i totally trusted his choices, given he’s a regular. the one thing i requested was their hot and sour soup – the photos and reviews online were just so tempting. once i arrived, i was greeted by a table full of steamed pork buns, pan fried pork & shrimp dumplings, and a massive bowl of soup.

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as i stuffed my face, brian went on to explain how the restaurant uses lots of fresh ingredients, and not as much oil, in their cooking, making their dishes somewhat lighter and less greasy. and you could definitely taste it in the food, which was absolutely delicious. initially, i thought we would need to order additional food, but brian kept reassuring me that this spread was more than enough, and he was right. we were both pleasantly full after devouring about half of each dish, and took home a bunch of leftovers. the best part of all: that entire meal cost under $25!

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i’m definitely looking forward to my return trip to tasty noodle, especially considering its proximity to my job. there are so many dishes on their menu that i’m curious to try, like jellyfish, which brian raved about. he also wants to take me to his some of his other secret SGV spots, so stay tuned for more “local lowdowns” in this hood. and if you haven’t experienced bowld‘s amazing asian cuisine, then you’re seriously missing out. brian and his team are about to start their pop ups and lunch deliveries again soon – keep an eye out!

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lastly, i want to thank you all for the love and support over the past six months since launching my blog. i’m really looking forward to what this year has in store. here’s to a hangry 2015!!

tasty2photo credit: brian moeljadi

guerrilla nation

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one of the highlights of working near culver city is that i get to enjoy guerrilla tacos, which sets up camp every wednesday afternoon outside cognoscenti coffee. the rest of the week they’re either at blacktop coffee or blue bottle downtown. it’s basically my idea of heaven: amazing tacos + great coffee. guerrilla is not your average taco truck though. chef wes changes his menu daily, based on what he finds at the farmer’s market and local distributors that week. with those components, he throws together some of the most unique and intriguing combinations i’ve ever come across. the menu usually consists of a couple taco options, a seafood tostada, either a burrito or quesadilla, and an aqua fresca to wash everything down. i highly recommend ordering one of each taco, and then splitting the seafood (warning: the poke tostada is SPICY!) or burrito/quesadilla with friends.

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considering the whole fresh and local factor, prices aren’t exactly cheap (about $4-5 a taco) but it’s so worth it. i love how chef wes truly utilizes seasonal ingredients (especially vegetables) and showcases different flavors. no wonder they’re regarded as one of the best taco trucks in LA! here’s a glance at today’s menu:

  • blue lake beans taco with cranberry beans, fried egg, almond chile, pickled onion, chives
  • shrimp taco with oaxacan cheese, raw tomatillo chile, cilantro, calabrian chile, pine nuts
  • venus clam & PEI mussles stew, saffron broth, chile del valle, radish herbs
  • bacon and new potato burrito with scrambled egg, arbol chile, george bliss avocado, cheddar cheese, parsley

sadly, this is my last week at my current job, so i’ll no longer have the convenience of this truck down the street from me. however, now it gives me more motivation to head downtown on the weekends to get my fix. until we meet again, guerrilla…

tacotaco time

punch drunk love

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you guys, thanksgiving is officially 1 week away! obviously, it’s my favorite holiday, since it basically revolves around food. and there’s no stress of buying gifts. the only thing i really dread is the travelling part, but even that can be somewhat enjoyable (or at least entertaining.) we usually head to arizona to visit my family, where my parents whip up quite the feast (and have been for the last 45 years.) the rest of us try to contribute something to the already massive meal. my hubs and i always bring a couple fresh loaves from la brea bakery (my parents love their bread.) i also started making apple pie punch each year for us boozers in the family to drink throughout turkey day. i discovered sandra lee‘s recipe awhile back, and loved how simple and delicious it was. it’s seriously apple pie in a glass! i highly recommend mixing up a pitcher (or two) to keep everyone nice & cozy during all the binge eating & TV watching.

ingredients

2 cups apple juice or cider (i prefer cider)
4 ounces spiced rum
2 ounces cinnamon schnapps
1 red apple, sliced

directions

combine cider, rum, and schnapps in a punch bowl or pitcher. add apple slices either now or later as a garnish. serve punch over ice.

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giving thanks