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

Txirimiri Pintxos

Txirimiri Pintxos (tx pronounced "ch"), is an amazing tapas bar in Madrid, – one of the best I've tried thus far.  Pintxos are like hors devours.  They are served in small plates and can often be shared and are usually served at bars or taverns as a small snack while hanging out with friends or relatives.  It is a basically another word for tapas and it originated from the Basque country in Spain.  

Glad to have been able to try the many delectable tapas.  The tapas at Txirimiri meld the varied cooking of the Basque region which embraces sweet and savory combinations.  It was a fabulous culinary experience!  Like many tapas bar in Madrid, it's located in the neighborhood.  Unless you are a local, you wouldn't know about this place.  I was lucky enough to have been introduced to Txirimiri by a friend who is currently living in Madrid.  I met with her at the Lista Metro station (who needs a car when you can take the metro -- definitely one of the things I love about Madrid)! So, if you happen to be visiting Madrid and want to try an authentic tapa, this is the place.  Don't expect anything fancy though.  The bar is in the front and dining is in the back.  Just remember to get off at the Lista Metro station. 

                         Location: Calle del Humilladero, 628005 Madrid

Lista was my Metro stop to Txirimi Pintxos

No menus but a board to look at for the selected tapas of the day

for starters: tinto verano (very similar to sangria) and olives

Foie C/Mermelada de higo (LIVER)...YES, IT'S LIVER! And i don't like liver, but this was actually quite good. It melts in your mouth! muy delisioso!

Provolone a La Plancha

Solomillo C/Caramelizada - good quality beef - very tender! 

Spanish Spring Rolls

mushroom with shrimp - delish! 

of course...postre - chocolate!

Meet Michella -- She was the one that introduced me to Txirimiri Pintxos.