Friday Night Culinary Adventure

Have you ever had moments where you just want to try all the places you read about on Yelp in one night?  I do -- almost always.   Two Fridays ago, my kids, my niece, and I went on a culinary adventure.  We first ventured out to Korea Town or KTown as others call it.  Still too early for dinner, we went to Beer Belly in KTown for appetizers. Hidden behind a boba place sits this small building with its walls covered by a mural.  Yes, it's Beer Belly!  I must say, it was quite different, but certainly normal for LA.  Casual outside seating or standing if there are no seats available. Definitely for the younger crowd.

For dinner we headed over to Culver City's "A - Frame" restaurant, one of Chef Roy Choi's many restaurants in LA.  I'm assuming it got its name for its building style.  This place seats communally -- many were bench seating, inside and outside. It was a very casual atmosphere. It almost seems like you're among a group of people at a town barbecue.  Food was served on tin plates and platter.  Definitely not fine dining if that's what you're looking for.  The food entrees are meant to be shared (family style).  The whole idea of the restaurant was a picnic theme.

Of course we didn't end our Friday evening without having desserts -- And we were all craving for something sweet and delicious.  Having tried Osteria Mozza's heavenly desserts, we ventured out to Hollywood to try some of Pizzeria Mozza's dessert.  Our stomachs weren't satisfied just yet, we had to indulge on some amazing desserts from Pizzeria Mozza.   Boy was it delicious!  One of the best desserts I've had.

So keep your eyes peeled for my posts while I fill your bellies with another gastronomic adventure of this hungry tEATeacher!

On our way to our Friday night culinary adventure

Beer Belly
532 S Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA  90020    (213) 387-2337

Brussels

Brussels Sprouts, Apples, Onions, Pancetta

Duck Fat Fries 

Smoked Salt, Sweet Onion Sugar, Duck Skin Cracklins, Raspberry Mustard

A-Frame L.A. Modern Picnic

12565 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066   (310) 398-7700

"to munch on" while waiting....
FURIKAKE KETTLE CORN 
buttered and spiced Hawaiin style

and some more "to munch on"...
KITCHEN FRIES 
wedges of purple Okinawan potato, yam and Korean 
sweet potato with kimchi sour cream

"to pass around"
DON'T SAY A WORD
beef tongue pastrami, pickled fennel, onions and 
celery with gribiche and grilled garlic baguette

just couldn't get enough "to pass around"
OCTOPI L.A.
charred baby octopus with carrot kochujang puree misuma, pickled vegetables and nori

"get your hands dirty"
CRACKLIN BEER CAN CHICKEN
with kimchi, century egg, salsa roja and verde

more to "get your hands dirty" 
BABY BACK RIBS
air-dried and hoisin-chili glazed

this was definitely a "modern style picnic" at night

Pizzeria Mozza

641 North Highland Ave., Los Angeles 90036     (323) 297-0101

Our evening was not complete without Pizzeria Mozza's delicious desserts!  
Definitely a must try!

Heavenly Sweets

Decadent, exquisite, extraordinary are just a few of the words to describe the fabulous dessert selection at Osteria Mozza.  Truly hard to resist! Since my sister and I were already in the neighborhood, we decided to swing by Osteria to have their amazing dessert.   All sounds delectably delicious,  it makes it difficult to pick one.

Tonights choices were the Strawberry Crespelle (sauteed strawberries with spiced almonds) and the Rosemary Olive Oil Cakes, olive oil gelato and rosemary brittle.  Both were amazingly good.

So if you're dining at Osteria Mozza, don't forget to leave room for dessert.  It is out of this world.

                            Location: 6602 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90038

Rosemary Olive Oil Cakes 
olive oil gelato & rosemary brittle

Strawberry Crespelle
sauteed strawberries with spiced almonds

cappuccino

Bugatta Melrose

Bugatta Restaurant & Bar is among the row of restaurants on Melrose Avenue in LA.  It has a vibrant atmosphere and quite lively!  I love that every room is different!  For a more romantic and quiet atmosphere, Bugatta has the outside patio dining area with different sections to your specific liking, or big groups of up to 15 can be seated in one of their lounge areas for cocktails and appetizers.   Each area in the Outside Patio has a theme: The Patio Dining Area, Miami Seating,  The Bungalows, and The Bar.  I like The Bungalows best -- a white curtain drapes down to give it a more romantic feel.   The white furnitures also gives it a cozy feeling, especially the one next to the fire and ice fireplace.

I can see this place to be great hang out.  Even with its casual atmosphere, one can still dress up and enjoy an evening with friends without feeling stuffy.

Our group was seated in the Dining Lounge.  It was very casual.  We shared appetizers and enjoyed champagne and wine to cleanse our palates.  It was great!  Our server, Gillian and host, Annette were  amazing!  The birthday celebrant, Xerez sure picked a great place to celebrate her special day with friends.

Valet parking is available right outside.  Unfortunately, it's LA so parking is scarce and a permit is required to park in the streets.

                         Location: 7174 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

The Bungalow

One of the seating areas in the Patio Dining

Crab Cakes  - Truffle Oil Corn Puree, Citrus Apple Slaw, Pea Sprouts

Tuna Tar Tar - Jalapenos, Scallions, Avocado Mousse

Calamari - Spicy Marinara 

SPICY BBQ CHICKEN - Smoked gouda, mozzarella, onions, chilies, cilantro

Xerez, the birthday celebrant! 

Cheers to another fun birthday celebration! 

http://www.bugatta.com/bugatta/http://www.bugatta.com/bugatta/

Osteria Mozza

Delectable, mouth-watering, and heavenly are words to describe the food at Osteria Mozza, a well renowned restaurant owned by famous chefs Mario Batali, Nancy Silverton (Pastry Chef) and Joe Bastianich. The food at Osteria Mozza was absolutely delicious! It's not the typical Italian cuisine. 

Osteria Mozza is located at the corner of Melrose and Highland Avenue.  You won’t miss it.  It’s a rustic orange building.  The restaurant is not that big, but its simple elegance adds such character to the place. I love its simplicity!  By the way, reservations are required and can also be done on-line .  It will take you directly to Open Table when you go on their site.  

I’m such a foodie.  I will travel the distance to try something new. Any opportunity or excuse to try a new dish, I’m there.   This time my excuse to drive to LA was a birthday celebration for my sister, June. Dining at Osteria Mozza was an unforgetable experience for my sisters and I.  Will I return?  Absolutely, so I can try the other dishes on the menu and most especially the heavenly desserts!  I just added this restaurant to one of my favorite places on my list.  

Street parking is available but on certain hours only.  Therefore, it’s best to valet park to alleviate the stress of driving aimlessly to find parking.   

              Location: 6602 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90038

Mozzarella Bar

Celebrating my sister's birthday! 

Crostini

From the Mozzarella Bar
Burrata with bacon, marinated escarole & caarmelized shallots

Squid Ink Chitarra Freddi
with Dungeness crab, sea urchin & jalapeño
(cold pasta, but delicious!)

Striped Bass 
alla Livornese

Grilled Beef Tagliata,
rucola & Parmigiano with aceto balsamico

Pan Roasted Sea Trout 
with Umbrian lentils & red cabbage sottaceto

"Brasato al Barolo" 
braised beef short rib with porcini

 Heavenly Desserts!  

Bombolini 
huckleberry marmellata & lemon mascarpone

Torta della Nonna  
miele Toscano, pine nuts 

Hot and Trendy in DTLA

Baco Mercat, located on Main Street in downtown Los Angeles is another unique dining experience. "Baco" is their signature flatbread stuffed with crispy pork belly and beef carnitas. It's served like a taco with toppings on crispy flatbread.  According to Baco's chef Joe Centeno, this inspiration is taken from the Spanish version of a pizza called "coca."

Many dishes are in small plate portions or tapas style and are  influenced by the Western and Eastern-Meditarranean cultures.  What I like best about this restaurant is that they get their poultry, pork and beef from producers who raise their animals humanely with no growth hormones or antibiotics.

The restaurant is small and trendy!  Reservations are required; otherwise the wait could be up to 2 hours on a Friday night.  It's a "hot spot" in DTLA (downtown Los Angeles).

                  LOCATION:  408 S. MAIN ST., LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90013 | 213.687.8808

crispy surf clams
remoulade, yuzu, aleppo 

za’atar & sumac lebni
puffy bäco bread, olive oil 

“el pesco”
crispy shrimp, sriracha, chive dressing 

2 oz. fresh burrata
pickled mushroom, tomato, pomegranate

“the original”
pork, beef carnitas, salbitxada 

caramelized cauliflower
pine nuts, mint, garlic, lebni

Baco Pops: Hibiscus Sweet & Sour and Tamarindo & Mango