Normally I tend to steer clear of street food. Mainly for obvious reasons, cleanliness being my biggest issue. However when I heard that the grilled cheese truck was going to be parked outside of Bigfoot Lodge in Los Feliz this past weekend, I could resist.

Well I was not alone. The truck was outside the bar from 7-10pm and when I arrived at 8:45, there was a pretty long line. It took about a 1/2 hour to order and receive my grilled cheese.

They have a pretty small menu with a few signature items and simple grilled cheeses with the choice of many additional items. My melt was on french bread with brie, caramelized onions and avocado. It was well worth the 30 minute wait. The sweet onions went amazing with the brie cheese and the avocado was cooked to melty perfection. A friend of mine ordered a side of tater tots which I then preceded to pilfer and dipped in spicy chipotle sauce. Yum!

The truck travels to different locations each week. I would definitely check them out if they’re in your area.

Check out their website http://www.thegrilledcheesetruck.com/ to see where they’ll be parked!

I originally went to Masa with every intention of ordering a panini. I’d checked out the menu online beforehand and was all ready to order before I even sat down.

However, my very helpful server then announced the specials. Masa specializes in deep dish pizza, but their special on the night I went was a thin crust pizza with sun-dried tomato goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil and a variety of other cheeses. The server mentioned that it paired well with a bottle of their reisling, all for the low price of $35.00. He did such a great job describing it and even though I wasn’t in the mood for pizza, I forgot all about the avocado and carmelized onion panini I’d been thinking about and ordered the special.

My dining companion and I first started with a mixed greens salad. It was fine but very mildly dressed with their house dressing. The dressing itself was good, there just was barely any on the salad. We asked for more dressing and later discovered we were charged for it. A very small fee (so monetarily not a big deal) but sort of annoying on principal. As someone who’s worked in restaurants, extra dressing isn’t really something you charge for unless the patrons want  an entire vat of it. Nonetheless, a very minor complaint in an otherwise great meal.

As for the main course, the pizza was quite tasty. The goat cheese wasn’t too strong but added a bit of tangyness to the pizza. The wine was paired nicely  as well. It was not really what I would expect of a reisling (not especially sweet) but I enjoyed it and it was very easy to drink.

Overall, great service and food. Next time I go, I’ll try not to get distracted by the specials!

1800 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

213-989-1558

Located at the corner of Alvarado and Sunset Blvd, I’ve passed by this little Italian restaurant several times. It doesn’t look too promising from the outside. Dark, no parking, your typical hole in the wall.

However, I’d heard some pretty promising things about it, so I decided to check it out this past weekend. Upon walking in (after I’d finally found some street parking) I was immediately set at ease. It’s an old school seemingly family owned Italian restaurant. It smells amazing and everyone was really friendly and helpful.

Since the name of this place is “Pizza Buona” you’d think I would have tried the pizza, but alas I went with pasta. I was in the mood for something simple so I ordered spaghetti with garlic and olive oil. It was amazing. It’s incredibly flavorful and so much more than I expected. My boyfriend ordered Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and broccoli which was also delicious. We’re both pretty particular about our Alfredo sauce: I hate it if it’s too thick and he hates it if it’s watery. This Alfredo was the perfect median!

All the pasta dishes come with a small salad and garlic bread. Both were fine, nothing particularly special but are nice to have with your meal. Also, the dishes are quite large. At $8-$12 each you’ll definitely have leftovers.

My only negative comment: stay away from the tiramisu. Tiramisu is one of my favorite Italian desserts, so I had guessed it would be amazing here. However, the ladyfingers were soggy and the whole piece was far too soaked in rum. I was finished with it after two bites.

On the way out we spied some people eating their pizza which looks so good. I’m already planning my next trip to try it!

Pizza Buona

2100 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(213) 413-0800

As a former inhabitant of Allston MA, I was curious to see what the Allston Yacht Club in Echo Park CA was all about. It certainly has an Allston MA feel with a bit of a hipster crowd and staff. However, the place itself (unlike Allston) is really nice.

A small place with a handful of tables, really comfortably leather chairs and interesting art work, I was definitely surprised to find this gem in Echo Park. It has a great vibe. The servers are attentive but leave you alone if you want to take your time.

Initially I just went in to order a drink or two. I started with a cocktail called Lena’s Holiday, composed of Vodka, St. Germain, Cucumber, Pear and Ginger. It was decent but really just tasted like cucumber instead of an actual cocktail. However, their beer on tap is great. The two beers are both locally brewed in California. One is light and super easy to drink and the other is a rather strong IPA.

In terms of food, I was excited to see that this is a tapas place! They have a bunch of small plates all ranging from about $5-9. I tried the brussel sprouts and the broccolini. The brussel sprouts were amazing, cooked down in balsamic vinegar, making them very tender (I’ve had them at other restaurants where they’re tough and bitter). The broccolini (or baby broccoli) was also delicious and cooked with thinly shaved garlic. The two plates don’t exactly make up a meal, but this is a great place to go to if you want something small to eat with a drink (that’s not typical bar food) or if you’re with a group and can order a bunch of the plates.

I can’t wait to go back and try some of their other dishes such as the Arancini which is deep fried mushroom risotto. This is definitely a place worth checking out if you’re ever in Echo Park.

1320 Echo Park Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 481 0454
Dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30
Brunch Sunday 10-3

Ono Hawaiian BBQ
Hollywood #2
(323)462-3988
7077 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood , CA 90028

Dear Louie:

I’m so glad that I finally introduced myself you the other day.  I have to admit that I’d seen you previously, but was too intimidated by your grandeur and beauty to say hello at the time.  At the time, I thought for sure that you’d only be interested in my money and would take me for everything I had.  I was so wrong for being judgmental; forgive me. 

To those who look only upon your exterior, you appear to be nothing more than a plain Jane; empty and lacking much substance on the interior.  And yet you remain undeterred.  You seem to welcome everyone with open arms.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that your pristine interior is complemented by many notes of detail and beauty.

Your offerings of food were equally impressive and  ample.  The Penne  Gambert was delightful, to say the least.  You were generous with the shrimp and delicate with the garlic, allowing the other flavors of the dish to really stand out.  I also relished the Chicken Parmesan that you served my guest.  I must admit that I was slightly taken aback by the lack of pasta as a side for this particular dish, but fret not mon ami; you made up for the disappointment by providing my guest with a large 10 ounce cut of chicken. 

I assure you that we were more than filled by our entrees; so much so that we didn’t have any room to eat dessert with you.  Of course, that didn’t stop you from tempting me into taking a sweet morsel home with me, as a reminder of your culinary genius.  Upon first bite, I knew that I’d have to visit you again.  Something tells me that you and I will be good friends in the future. 

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Best,

Jen

Bottega Louie                 700 S. Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90017

(866) 418-9162               www.bottegalouie.com

I know, how original, right? A picture of The Waffle’s Cornmeal Jalapeno Waffle ($12, with fried chicken, greens and gravy).

Well, I like it.

So no matter how many LA food reviews you read, today you have to see it again.

Because it’s something I keep going back to.

Sometimes with a six-fifty milkshake on the side.

But this story isn’t about me.

It’s about other people’s waffles.

Because that’s really what Hollywood’s The Waffle is all about – ordering the waffle that is just so you.

So no scoffing at your friends’ orders, even if they decide to have a Chocolate Waffle at lunchtime (eeeewwww!). This breaded breakfast luxury is a form self-expression. A waffle at The Waffle is the syrup-compatible version of music and blue jeans.

The Waffle
6255 W. Sunset Blvd.
In the big office building on the corner of Sunset and Argyle
Hollywood, Calif.
http://www.thewaffle.us/Site/Home.html

Before you guffaw at the concept of there being a decent mini-chain restaurant (gasp!  The horror!  Oh, the humanity of it all!) and close this browser, hear me out.  I, too, have shared similar assumptions.  Normally, I stay as far away from chain restaurants as possible.  In my opinion, they just can’t seem to bake the same love into their dishes as independently owned restaurants.  However, I feel like Barney’s Beanery deserves a chance from all of us.  Yes, really!

Is it the world’s best food?  No; but I’ll get into that more a little later. Will you have some sort of existential, transcendental experience? Not likely; although anything is possible. You will find, however, that it’s just a fun place to hang out and enjoy yourself, especially after a hard days’ work.

The decor is playful, with multi-colored booths, pool tables, a number of  televisions tuned to sports, and tables with a thick layer of celebrity photos. To put it simply: the interior is definitely a conversation piece.

I like the beer selection a lot and often opt for the Arrogant Bastard Ale.  Their food menu is extensive, which is good because people tend to be a little indecisive when drinking; I know I am, at least.  If you’re in the mood for a greasy treat, I recommend the potato skins, or cheese fries.  Both offer just the right amount of ooey-gooey-cheesy-deliciousness required to be considered comfort food.

For my meals, I tend to stick to the sandwich selections.  The food is not the most amazing I’ve ever had, but their selection is still good in that bar-food need-to-eat-after-drinking kind of way and is quite tasty.  Tonight, I had the tuna salad and was pleasantly surprised; not as salty as most places (hooray!) but flavorful and filling.  I always leave Barney’s Beanery full and in a good mood.

The atmosphere of Barney’s is laid-back and friendly.  Don’t be afraid to sneak into your neighbor’s conversation and make some new friends.  Sometimes, it can get a little loud so it’s probably not the best choice of venue for that romantic night out you’ve been looking forward to.  The service is very non-chain-like, which is awesome.  The servers are accommodating and will do what they can to make sure you have a good experience, even if they have to go a little out of their way to do so.

Certainly, I can understand that everyone has a favorite bar or two that they are loyal to and I’m not saying you should consider changing   that.  But, take a chance one night and head over to Barney’s Beanery.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Barney’s Beanery

8447 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

(323) 654-2287

Sometimes you just want a burger. Let me clarify: Sometimes I just want a burger. Not a fast food burger, even if In-N-Out makes a killer one, but I’m looking for a hand-formed burger, made with good quality beef, a little bleu cheese, fresh tomatoes, red onions and lettuce and a bun that’s tasty, but not too doughy. Seems an easy proposition, but it’s not. There’s a handful of great burger joints in LA that are known for their predictable deliciousness, but it shouldn’t take a jaunt across town to satisfy that craving. (410 Boyd in Little Tokyo made my favorite burger ever, tucked into rosemary bread–but those were the days of Kash Brouillet, long before he opened Blue Star.)

One hot afternoon, not too many days ago, we stepped into 38 Degrees Ale House on Main in Alhambra to sample one of their 40+ beers on draught. Their beer menu was pretty impressive, packing a good number of classic brews, with some we’d never heard of and some local faves like Eagle Rock’s Solidarity. The menu seemed pretty standard bar & grill fare, with burgers, salads and the like, but I was focused on the burger. I chose the namesake 38 Degrees Burger with Angus beef, bleu cheese, onion relish, baby arugula, and garlic aioli. It’s hard to get a burger cooked rare most places, but here it came out delightfully red, not pink, not pinkish–but red, just the way I like it. My husband’s cheeseburger was cooked perfectly medium well and my daughter tossed back the mini sloppy joe sliders like a pro.

The decor is very early-2000 brewpub, but a lot of seating faces huge big screens that are playing various sporting events, so it’s a good place to go watch a game or several. Considering the amount of sports watching going on in the bar area, the space isn’t too noisy at all (and there is a separate dining section). Settle in with friends, drink a beer or two, enjoy the AC.

I’ll be back for the burger.

38 Degrees Ale House & Grill

100 W. Main St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 282-2038
www.38degreesalhambra.com/

Dolores – 11407 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

310-477-1061

 Hours: Mondays-Thursdays, 7am-1am; Fridays-Saturdays, 7am-4am; Sundays, 8am-1am.

Every couple of weeks or so, the Nuart theater will be showing a movie that strikes my fancy.  Of course, if I’m going to make the trek out to Santa Monica from downtown, I’ll need to fill my tummy up with some delicious diner fare.  That’s where Dolores comes in.     

I take comfort in dining at Dolores because it’s a cozy and quiet place where I can just relax and get away from the crazy hubbub of LA.  And it’s located within walking distance of the Nuart, so it makes for a perfect dinner-and-a-movie date night; they do offer a free parking lot to patrons.  There’s never been more than a handful of tables filled when I go to Dolores, which means that you can exchange meaningful dialogue with your group without having to shout over excessively loud music, as with the more trendy restaurants.  Your vocal cords will thank you for this. 

The service is usually spot on and I’ve never experienced any problems with either service or food.  The servers actually take the time to say hi and chit-chat for a few, which is always appreciated.  In addition, they are very friendly and accommodating, even on busier nights.  It’s hard to find places to eat where they are concerned about more than just $$$, but Dolores is like an old friend: reliable, and always there when you need them.  

I think this one’s a keeper!