Los Angeles
A Blast from the Past with a Bacon-y Twist
The other day I was meandering home in my ‘hood in downtown LA, which some might call The Nickel, when I happened upon a lovely little diner called, you guessed it, The Nickel.
This place is everything an old fashioned diner should be–and more! The Nickel Diner takes traditional greasy spoon fare and vamps it up to a whole new level. They’ve re-imagined burgers, sandwiches, cupcakes, and sodas to beat the band.
While they serve incredible breakfast dishes up until 3 pm (see photo below if you don’t believe me),
I opted for one of their amazing cheeseburgers, served with avocado and bacon on a fresh and light bun. This baby really hit the spot. (And for 10 bucks, it was more than enough to fill me up.)
Another thing I really love about this homey place is their sodas. They have an impressive selection of fun, all-natural sodas ranging from rootbeer and creme soda to apple soda. I only wish they sold beer and wine, but if you are nice to your server, you could probably BYOB. It’s that laid back.
The atmosphere here is rich with that old diner feel, featuring wood walls covered in diner signs and comfy upholstered booths. It can get somewhat crowded and lively during weekend brunch time and also in the evenings when the hipsters come to Downtown to take over the bar scene. No matter what though, this meal is worth the wait.
And to finish up that delightfully cheesy dish of Smac ‘n Cheese or Mama’s Spaghetti and Meatballs? Yup. They have bacon and maple syrup donuts. These succulent delicacies will have you tossing in your sleep for more.
If you try only one thing at The Nickel Diner, be sure to indulge in one of their creative desserts. Not into bacon? That’s okay, try the Cher cupcake (sprinkled on top with strawberry poprocks) or the luscious red velvet cake or the s’mores cake, which your server will actually LIGHT ON FIRE next to your table. You know, just to make sure the marshmallows are nicely toasted.
I am so lucky to have this spot in my neighborhood. The restaurant is entirely run by a team of women chefs who support women in small local businesses. And if my post isn’t enough to compel you to make the trip, check out the review of The Nickel Diner at 10PM Monday, October 19th on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives“ with Guy Fieri. But don’t worry–no matter how big The Nickel gets, it will always have that humble, down-home feel.
The Nickel Diner
524 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-623-8301
Hours:
Breakfast and Lunch:
Tues-Sun: 8 am-3:30 pm
Dinner:
Tues-Sat: 6 pm-11 pm
Closed Mondays
L.A.’s Outdoor Cinema Food Fest
There’s no mistaking this summer event because it’s all in the name: Outdoor Cinema Food Fest L.A.
Billed as “the ultimate picnic” with “no basket required,” here’s the breakdown:
Outdoor – Downtown’s Exposition Park is where most take place; Grand Hope Park and Beverly Hills’ La Cienega Park will also host.
Cinema – Swingers, The Big Lebowski… View schedule online.
Food Fest – 60 food trucks on rotation throughout July and August.
Among the 10 trucks set for this weekend, I’m saving room for a cone from Lake Street Creamery, L.A.’s transient ice cream makers who have our streets a-buzz this summer for Donut-flavored scoops. According to their Twitter page, there’s a new flavor named Don Draper; like the man himself, this flavor could be yours only if you can track him down.
Outdoor Cinema Food Fest
Los Angeles, Calif.
Saturdays, July and August 2010, 6-11pm
Admission $8 each or 4 for $5 each (plus extra for parking)
OutdoorCinemaFoodFest.com
Eating Around the World-in Beverly Hills
No need to jet set around the world looking for good eats…you can find exactly what you need in the posh 6 mile radius known as Beverly Hills. Try some of these brand new international delights…
Japanese Crepes
Named after the hip and trendy Tokyo neighborhood, this little eatery features french style crepes with mochi flour. Rolled and filled with ingredients such as green-tea flavor with sweet azuki beans or a scoop of strawberry ice cream ($5). Hirashima custom-grinds tea leaves for the subtly flavored Earl Grey crêpe; the aroma really shines through with a simple butter-and-sugar filling ($5). The fried egg, ham and cheese combo ($6.50) goes best with the buckwheat crêpe. Last but not least, there is also an original-flavor crêpe that you can stuff with strawberries, Nutella and real whipped cream ($5.50).
Harajuku Crepe, 9405 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; 310-285-3946 or harajukucrepe.us
Vietnamese Pho
Recently opened 9021Pho is a hit with the locals and tourists alike for a quick,easy lunch. Selections include Pho, salads, sweet and sour soup, grilled beef wrapped in vine leaf, Vietnamese grilled meat ball and Saigon rolls. All for under $14.00 www.9021pho.com
French-style Snails
Bouchon is the place to go for a truly authentic French meal. Thomas Keller has made an impact with his authentic menu of Quiche, Pate, Boudin Noir (Blood Sausage), and Moules. For a laid-back atmosphere and affordable small plates, try out Bar Bouchon downstairs. www.BouchonBistro.com
Restaurant week in Palm Springs is a great excuse to sample favorite home-away-from-home restaurants in L.A.’s glam, palm-lined playground for a fraction of the cost. Deals at over 100 restaurants last through the weekend, ending this Sunday, June 13.
At Jackalope Ranch guests opt for a $36-menu of high-styled southwestern courses including local corn chowder and boneless kobe short ribs (restaurant week only), sip aged tequila during the venue’s reputable happy hour, and explore the lawns and waterfalls of the hotel-like grounds that spread over six acres. Quintessentially Palm Springs, even though it’s only been open a year and a half, the ranch is the perfect place to dress in hot white and sandals that sparkle.
Jackalope Ranch in Indio, on the eastern edge of the Palm Springs area, makes margaritas with fresh hand-squeezed lime juice and organic agave nectar.
Palm Springs Restaurant Week
June 4-13, 2010
www.palmspringsrestaurantweek.com
Jackalope Ranch
Lunch 11:30 to 3pm daily
Happy hour 3:30 to 6pm nightly
Dinner 5pm nightly
80-400 Highway 111
Indio, CA 92201
760-342-1999
Palm Springs is a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles.
Diner Dash
French Quarter 7985 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hollywood, CA www.frenchquarterwest.com
Ever since I moved to LA, I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of diners begging me to stop by. Thankfully, I am a huge fan of diner fare, so I make it a point to try a new diner each outing, instead of just frequenting the same spots week in and week out. This method has allowed me to further explore this wonderful city of dreams, try new places that I likely would have passed over otherwise, meet new and interesting people, and give all of you some insight into the LA diner world.
After driving by at least 50 times, I finally decided to try the French Quarter restaurant. Parking is a breeze, as they have a private lot right next to the restaurant. I asked for a seat outside and was allowed to choose my own spot. Inside, there are a number of small shops (although I stopped by after those stores closed, so I was unable to explore). The outdoor seating proved wonderful for people-watching. The restaurant clearly took the time and effort in making the outdoor patio as comfortable as the indoor seating, generously decorated in a French-kitchen style.
I have to admit that the menu took me a little aback. I expected more French-style offerings but was greeted with more traditional American fare, such as biscuits and gravy, hamburgers, and various meat sandwiches. However, their menu is expansive and has something to offer everyone. I chose the Prime Rib special: a big ol’ hunk of juicy prime rib, soup or salad, a veggie, and potato for $19.95.
For diner-fare, the French Quarter proves itself worthy of repeat visits in the future. The prime rib was tender, and well-portioned; the veggies were fresh, my salad crisp, and my potato fried. My waiter was very attentive and never left a dirty dish on my table for more than a few seconds. Even better, I spent a good hour and a half there, eating and people gazing, and didn’t feel rushed for even a second. It’s good to know that I don’t have to spend $200 on a meal to get decent service.
Food. Coma.
Baby Blues
7953 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046 www.babyblueswh.com
It’s Saturday night; you know that you’re hungry, but you don’t really know what you want to eat. Mexican, Chinese, pizza, standard diner fare; all have seemingly lost every ounce of appeal. You have no food at home, so you do what any normal person would do and drive around for an hour, about ready to chew the shoes off your feet because you’re so hungry, all in search of some sustinence. All of a sudden, your eyes meet with Baby Blues BBQ and you know that you have to go in; if not for the food, then to save your poor little stomach from the pit of despair.
When you first sit at the table, your eyes will fixate on the 5 different bottles of BBQ sauce that you can slather on ribs, chicken or anything you want! I opted for the smoked Chicken, with macaroni & cheese, and mashed potatoes as my two sides, and eagerly awaited my meal, secretly eyeing the plates of other patrons. I started to eat the macaroni & cheese first. Don’t be fooled; the little dish is basically a meal in itself. It’s incredibly thick and rich and super cheesy. But I pressed on. Though I was only able to eat a couple of bites of my 1/2 chicken, it was perfectly cooked overall; cripsy and seasoned outside, tender on the inside, and the meat gracefully slides off the bone with ease. I had to 
save my mashed potatoes, corn bread, and remaining chicken for lunch the next day because I was filled to the max just from the little bit I ate. It reheated very well and was equally as tasty as the night before.
Even though it’s not quite “authentic” BBQ, what with Adult Alternative riddled in between various Jazz and Country music, the food will surely please anyone and everyone. It’s a fantastic option for those looking to get away from “the usual”.
L.A. Vendy Awards this weekend
There are 6 Vendys L.A. finalists:
India Jones Chow Truck
Hot Dog Kings
Bigmista’s Barbecue
Nina’s Food (pictured)
Grilled Cheese Truck
Tacos el Galuzo
A tax-deductable fifty bucks admission price gets you food from the best street vendors in Los Angeles, drinks too, and goes toward raising money for the movement to protect vendors’ rights.
Vendys L.A.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
4-7pm
MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, California
Streetvendor.org
Old World Charm in a Modern World
Musso & Frank Grill www.mussoandfrankgrill.com
6667 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028; Phone: 323-467-7788
My main squeeze and I are recent transplants to L.A. and have been on the hunt for some new treasure troves of deliciousness. Our 3rd anniversary fell on one of our first few days in our new home, so we decided to make it special and try Musso and Franks for some good old-fashioned meat and potatoes. In selecting the oldest restaurant in Hollywood to please our palates, we had high expectations, but M&F definitely did not disappoint.
Decorated with warm mahoganies and a buttressed ceiling, it feels like you slip a few decades into the past when you first walk in. We were greeted by a hearty man in a suit and promptly seated for our reservation. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, informative, prompt, and contributed largely to the overall pleasant dining experience. Not a single dirty plate stayed on our table for more than a few moments; no crumb was left astray on the table. They really focus on all the little details, which seems to be hard to find now-a-days in most places.
The food was equally impeccable; we started with the Hearts of Romaine salad, topped with a zesty red wine vinaigrette. For our entrees, my boyfriend opted for the filet mignon, I selected the Porterhouse and then we nibbled off bits of both. The filet mignon practically melted in my mouth. It was so tender and juicy, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a filet as melodic as this. The porterhouse was also tender, and gave me plenty of leftovers. Normally, I’d regale you with a number of pictures of the food I enjoyed so thoroughly. But, for this review, the pictures would never do the food proper justice.
As an added bonus, mid-way through our delicious taste experience, we looked up only to find that none-other than Mr. Gus Van Sant was seated in the booth next to us. Although tempted to scream, shout, and do a happy little jig around the restaurant in his honor, we played it cool and simply greeted him with a friendly smile. If M&F is good enough for Van Sant, it’s certainly more than good enough for me!
We were completely stuffed by the end of our entrees but our waiter convinced us to try the cheesecake, assuring us that we would not be disappointed. To me, a cheesecake is pretty much a cheesecake: heavy and overly sweet. M&F’s cheesecake, however, is beyond amazing. The cheese filling was delicate, flavorful, and light. It really helped to end our meal on just the right note.
It may seem silly to think that food has such an impact on the positive/negative experiences in our life, but M&F really did help to make our anniversary special and unforgettable. It’s good to know that impeccable service can still reach those of us in LA who are not gracing the covers of this month’s magazines.
*Photo of Europane pastry, but not at the actual location
The breads are baked fresh daily; Baguette, Ciabatta, Sourdough, Rosemary Currant, Multi-grain… the list goes on and on. They have that authentic fresh-baked, homemade taste; you’ll know you’re eating bakery bread, not store bread.
The pastries are also delicious. Though Europane does carry favorites like bran muffins, eclairs, and lemon bars, the ones that set them apart are the rustic european specialties. Try a blueberry brown butter tart, or a miniature apple pie, or a french macaroon (not a traditional macaroon; they are small and round and come in all kinds of colors and flavors. They showed them in the movie Marie Antoinette… so maybe you’ve seen them). My personal favorite (aside from the macaroons that make you feel like 18th century French royalty) is the cinnamon roll (pictured above). It goes great with a hot latte.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more substantial, Europane has some great sandwhiches. The tomato feta, made from fresh juicy tomatoes is always a great choice. The egg salad (served open faced on your choice of bread) has been gaining popularity after a recent Food Network special on it. The secret? Maybe it’s the sun-dried tomatoes underneath the egg… or maybe the toasted bread. Either way it’s delicious. A secret that has not yet been discovered by the food network is the salmon salad, served with a refreshing mango salsa.
Europane has a laid-back atmosphere; its an ideal place to relax with a cup of coffee after school or work. You can enjoy a cappuccino and a chocolate croissant while chatting with one of the friendly counter servers.
Nothing tastes artificial or processed because…. well, nothing is. This place is definitely a favorite!
**If you can’t get enough Europane, a second location just opened up less than a mile west on Colorado Blvd.
Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sun 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
950 E Colorado Blvd
Ste 107
Pasadena, CA 91106
Neighborhood: Pasadena
(626) 577-1828
Gingergrass is open late for L.A. diners
Hello, spring.
Gingergrass sounds like spring and tastes like it too. For when the days are longer and nights are warmer, this urban Vietnamese eatery, open until 11pm some nights, can make a fabulous spring even fabulouser.
Popular: Shrimp chips on the table, 33 Beer from Tien Giang Province ($5), Bo Bia (rice paper with jicama, coconut, mushrooms, egg and peanuts, $5.95) and the Pork Belly special
Atmosphere: Since the restaurant advertises “Fresh Vietnamese Cuisine,” it would be wrong to assume that steaming bowls of pho come out of the kitchen tasting like they do in mid-town Hanoi. It’s all about expectations; expect “fresh” and “cuisine” and a clientele to match; and order something besides the pho.
Gingergrass
2396 Glendale Blvd.
Silver Lake, Ca. 90039
(323) 644-1600
