Easter Picnic

Just pack and go!  Pick a place, set up and voila...It's ready!  For this picnic, I picked up a few ready made sandwiches and some yummy pastries from Paris Baguette.  Ham & cheese, turkey, and chicken sandwiches were the choices.  Of course I can't forget the mimosas to go with our sandwiches so I picked a few more items from Trader Joe's: orange juice and champagne for our mimosas, tortilla chips, and a box of assorted French macarons.  Another picnic item is a pack of ready to serve salami, sausages, and assorted cheeses.  A perfect picnic!  Hassle free.  Got all the essentials and just enjoyed a beautiful day under the California sunshine on Easter Sunday. 

By the way, a must have is a handy dandy cart/wagon from Costco to transport everything from the car to that perfect place!  The Dollar Tree is also a great place to grab colorful paper goods and serving plates and platters.  

ready made sandwiches from Paris Baguette

4th Street Market

A new food hall in DTSA (Downtown Santa Ana) just opened! I've tried a few already! So keep your eyes peeled for more of my gastronomic adventures from 4th Street Market!

4th Street Market | East End – Downtown Santa Ana

4th Street Market features restaurants in Downtown Santa Ana’s East End, and is the home of East End Kitchens incubator kitchens.

4THSTREETMARKET.COMhttp://4thstreetmarket.com

Urban Food Adventure

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
It was definitely worth the wait to sample some new dishes while strolling along Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice, CA.  Gjelina had a variety of dishes to choose from -- a vegetable dish were among the few items we set our eyes on.   Although a bit disappointed the dandelion, anchovy, parmesan, lemon & breadcrumbs (Gjelina's take of a Cesar Salad) salad was not available, our vegetable choices were not bad at all, most especially the roasted fennel.

I like the casual atmosphere of this place.  It had a rustic feel and much to our surprise,  there was a back patio to accommodate even more guests as our host took us towards the back.   I liked it.  And yes, I would definitely return to try the other dishes on the menu and I would recommend this place if ever you're in the area.

First veggie item: Charred sugar snap peas, soffritto, mint & prosciutto

Second:  Roasted Fennel, white wine, blood orange, & fennel pollen 

Third: Grilled broccolini, garlic, chili & vinegar

Grilled octopus, braised lentil, fennel & smolked tomato
Squid ink chitarra, asari clam, chili, garlic, parsely & breadcrumb 

Housemade chorizo, tomato, cream, fennel, chili & basil

Rhubbard strawberry with caramel ice cream and butterscotch pot de creme

Lunch in a Greenhouse

The Commissary 
3515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

I first heard about this place from my chef son, Nikko.  He knew I would like it.  Of course, I couldn't pass up another gastronomic adventure to Koreatown. It was the perfect opportunity to go since I was off for a couple of weeks for the winter break.  

Although I don't mind driving to DTLA, I also don't mind taking the metro.  I knew it would save time plus visit more places in one day.  Yes, started our adventure on the Green Line, then the Blue Line, and hopped on the Purple Line to Koreatown.  I was already familiar with the area so I knew exactly where to get off (Normandie & Wilshire).  The restaurant was just a few yards from the metro station so it was perfect!  

The Commissary located inside the Line Hotel  is one of the newest restaurant owned by Chef Roy Choi.  Loved the ambience of the restaurant -- It was nice and cozy.   Just imagine a greenhouse filled with lots of greenery.  It was definitely different!  You had a choice to sit in their communal tables if you don't mind sharing your space with others.  I loved the place setting too -- nothing matched.  

The food was okay -- nothing spectacular,  or maybe just what I ordered.  My friend and I were on a food adventure so we didn't want to fill up.  Would I return?  Absolutely!  I like the place and this time I will try the other dishes.

           

eclectic place setting and menu items are pictures of food/vegetable items inside an envelope 

Pimms Cup (Pimms & French Lemonade) and Bourbon Bellini (Elijah Craig Bourbon, Peach Nectar and Cremant de Bourgone)

Burger wagyu, pork, bacon, tomato jam, brioche bun

 

a seed packet come with your check 

Late Night Grub

The Bun Shop
151 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90004

KTown? Buns? Sure, why not!  How can I resist not going to KTown on a Thursday night.  I love bao buns!  This place serves all sorts of buns (kalbi, pork belly, katsu, spam just to name a few).  Of course, I had the pork belly!  Oh and the price....$2.50 per bun.  Can't beat that!  Happy Hour prices that's for sure -- even better!

There are also other menu items.  I tried the Ba Corn Cheese (bacon, mozzarella, jalapeño and scallions). I'll definitely return for more.

The place:  It's not very big but trendy like many restaurants in KTown.  It's on Western Avenue and just down the street are coffee shops and a boba shop too.

Bao Buns: PORK BELLY (Pickled Vegetables, Scallions, Asion BBQ Sauce; KALBI (Sweet Garlic Soy, Tempura Onion, Spicy Aoli; KATSU (Dark Chicken, Creamy Slaw, Asian BBQ Sauce)  {Photo Credit:  Chad Marquez)

BA' CORN CHEESE (Bacon, Mozzarella, Jalapeño, Scallions) -- Yummmm!  

Just Around the Corner

Cachi Coffee
10 Centerpointe Dr, Ste 3, La Palma, CA 90623
Just a bike ride away from my home sits this cute coffee establishment.  Too bad their operation hours are from 6:30 am - 3:30 pm (Monday - Saturday).  I guess they cater to the working people in the area.  It would have been nice if they're open longer though.  However, any chance I get, I stop by for their cup of cafe mocha.  Also on their coffee menu is Stumptown coffee.  I've only tried their breakfast -- have yet to try their lunch menu.

     

Cafe Mocha and a shot of Expresso 

You can sit at the coffee bar if you like. 

Had the Western Bacon Panini (eggs, bacon, grilled mushroom, cheddar cheese w/mayo spread) with my cup of cafe mocha. 

Table for Two @ Pizzeria Mozza

We actually sat at the pizza bar.  We like to see our Sous Chef Nikko in action @ Pizzeria Mozza on Melrose.  And as always, we had a lot of food just for two, but who's complaining!  In addition to what we ordered, a few dishes were sent out compliments from the kitchen, and our drinks were on the house.  Woohoo!  Thank you Nikko for always taking care of us.

Currently not on the menu..."Sardines"

If you like bone marrow, this is one of the best I've tried

I don't like meatballs, but this you must try.  

Compliments from the kitchen, "deep fried cauliflower" a family favorite  

Rapini, cherry tomoatoes, anchovies, olives & chiles

Another compliments from the kitchen..."Pea Pizetti" as if one pizza isn't enough! But, who's complaining! 

Still managed to devour a slice or two even with the amount of food.

Ordered the Meyer Lemon Gelato Pie, but came out with three desserts to fill our tasty palates! 

And of course, our togo boxes for all the left over food!