I Heart Foodie Adventures.

Fleeting as they may be (and I'm working on having more of them), foodie adventures rock my world and my weekend was rocked this past Sunday at Little Dom's in Los Feliz (located at Hillhurst Ave. and Avocado St.).

I had first heard of Little Dom's on an episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate on Food Network. The episode featured pizza and Little Dom's Breakfast Pizza was featured. I mentioned this to a super rad foodie at work and she chimed in that she wanted to check it out, along with her hubby. Yesterday, we strolled into Little Dom's on a late Sunday morning and were seated outside (it was a gorgeous and sunny day) promptly. We drooled over the sights and smells surrounding us, and we all agreed, the FRIED POTATOES, were calling out to us.

Anna ordered the French Toast souffle, which was a little on the sweet side for my tastes, but if you dig any type of bread pudding, you will be a happy camper. Served in an individual cast iron dish with freshly whipped cream, you're sure turn into a 3 year old again. Ben went with the wild boar and parmesane bacon (which I did not get to try) but he seemed to scarf it down with a big smile on his face. I went with one egg sunny side up, an order of the wild boar bacon and the fried potatoes. Now a sacred moment of silence for fried potatoes - the BEST fried potatoes that have ever entered my mouth, I kid you not. Sprinkled with olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley, garlic and lemon juice, these potatoes could easily become a meal or an afternoon snack on their own. Crispy and semi sweet, these potatoes were insanely delicious and worth every stinkin' penny! Now for the wild boar bacon, which is a first for me. I was surprised to find that this bacon was not salty in the slightest bit. Smoky and woodsy flavor penetrates these non-greasy strips of bacon. Not typical, but certainly worth trying. Little Dom's menu definitely will bring me back to try their tasty pizzas, salads and more.

**Photo credits go to Anna McCann and her iPhone.

Meet Me in Los Feliz.

Hear, hear, ladies and gents, it's official, I'm a Los Feliz girl. How did I spend my Super Bowl Sunday? Why moving, of course and four hours of uninterrupted unpacking too. Got the most important room practically finished, my fabulous kitchen (pictured above). With stainless steel countertops, a gas stove, original 1947 sink and black and white tiled floors, there's no stopping me now. And that my friends, is a "good thing" (to quote the domesticated queen, Martha Stewart).

I spent my first night in my apartment sitting on my bed (by candlelight), munching on sushi from Gelson's and watching the first disc of Sons of Anarchy on my laptop. I was one "sore" gal last night and after popping two Tylenol PM's,fell into a sweet slumber at 9:30pm.

One of the few errands I enjoy is grocery shopping, call me a nerd, but it's true. I like strolling up and down the aisles, scoping out the day's deals and perusing new pantry items. Tonight I will visit my local Trader Joe's and Whole Foods to stock up on some essentials. I will also (sometime this week) be visiting a new butcher shop that opened in Los Feliz a few weeks ago called McCalls Meat & Fish Co.

The next few weeks will be an adventure - exploring my new neighborhood and foodie joints, making new friends, and filling my apartment with great vintage finds. Cheers!

Angeli Caffe.

Of all the nights to take my camera out of my purse and leave it home, it had to be last night (Please don't hate me!). One of my many intentions for the new year is to try restaurants that have been piling up in a Word document under the heading, "Restaurants to Try". The first one to be crossed off said list is Angeli Caffe, located at 7274 Melrose Ave. (a few blocks west of La Brea). 2010 marks Angeli Caffe's 25th birthday and to celebrate, owner Evan Kleiman is treating patrons to a 3 course fixed price menu for only $25. Kleiman is well respected and loved in Los Angeles, not only for her Italian cafe, but she also leads the pack on KCRW's radio program, Good Food, which airs at 11am on Saturdays (go to iTunes and sign up for the podcast, most food geeks are devoted followers).

So my willing foodie co-hort Jo Marie tagged along with me on this culinary adventure last night and boy was she glad she did. The cafe is intimate, appeals to the modernist, with clean lines, attention to detail, and friendly staff. We decided to split a carafe of Prima Voce, a Tuscan wine, which perfumes your palette with bold raspberries and vanilla notes that dance along your tongue.

Angeli Caffe serves individual boules of hearty bread that has literally just come out of a wood-fired oven, speckled with black smoke and pockets of light, airy dough, this bread is perfect for ripping off and dipping in some fruity, green olive oil. If I can even come to close to an inkling of this bread's crumb in my own kitchen, I would be proud.

We split an order of the calamari fritti, served with a slice of lemon (for squeezing) and a pot of gold, excuse me, a pot of warm, simple, tomato sauce. Lightly seasoned, this plate of calamari has to be some of the most tender calamari I have ever eaten. I kept repeating myself at the table, I couldn't get over how tender they were (Jo Marie seems to think its because it was super fresh and I think it also has to do with the fact that it was not over-cooked).

We also shared a beautiful Insalate Forte, made up of locally grown mixed greens, endive, fennel, olives and tossed with a garlicky parmesan dressing. Our server recommended a splash of balsamic vinegar over the salad to enhance the parmesan, and obligingly, we listened. It was a good call, it definitely brought out the intensity of the cheese and yet it didn't overplay all of the other elements of this light and delicious salad. Of course, I would have preferred a few extra olives on the plate.

And for the main course, we shared the "gnocchi" of the day, homemade ricotta gnocchi with spinach in a butter sage sauce. The first description that came to my "foodie" mind last night was, pillows of pleasure. They literally melted in my mouth, they were so delicate and flavorful. I've never had gnocchi this good, makes me want to go back every day to try the "gnocchi of the day". These broads were pleasantly stuffed and passed on the dessert menu, I know, shame on us, but trust me, it's not like I won't ever be returning to Angeli Caffe. I most definitely will return to sample more tasty dishes and rub shoulders with a few angels.

Good Times.

These smiles are a result of martinis, sweet potato fries, baked pastry filled with artichokes and cheese, vegetable pizza, wine and champagne. Thanks to Lola's in West Hollywood, me and my girls had a swanky time. I kid you not, I ate sweet potato fries for dinner that night. Perhaps I'm going vegetarian?!? LOL! I love these girls and I miss them dearly.

This is just one of the beautiful sunsets I got to watch when I stayed in Long Beach with my BFF, Laurel. Yes, we were sipping on Chardonnay and eating a cheese plate. Such is the life.

I admittedly do not like this picture, but I now have proof that I visited NapaStyle in Pasadena. Michael Chiarello (PBS and Food Network) has his own catalog, but now you can shop in store too. There are several stores in California and I wouldn't be surprised if they expanded further. From olive oils to dips, spreads, to beautifully crafted, artisan handiworks, this store will make your mouth and your pocketbook water.

Now we are talking....a plate of gorditas from Tres Hermanos. Laurel and I made a pit stop there for some authentic Mexican grub. This was one of my "usuals" when I hit that spot on a weekly basis. Yes, you heard me, I said weekly. The problem is it's reasonable, delicious and super close to my dad's house in the valley.



Laurel, Deborah and I met at Electric Lotus in Los Feliz for some girl time and Indian food. It was so cool that we sat below this gorgeous Shiva painting. One of my favorite Indian restaurants in Los Angeles. The restaurant is mysterious and dark, sari prints hanging everywhere. Plus the spread is to die for....as you can see below. Garlic naan, chicken stuffed naan, a dish with roasted cauliflower and potatoes (the name escapes me), raita, and chicken tikka masala. Spicy, warm, complex flavors that keep us coming back for more and more.



I have more pictures from latest trip to Los Angeles, which I will post on my facebook and myspace accounts. It was great to get away, though the circumstances are sad. I'm so lucky to have awesome friends and family. I have never felt so much love and support. It's amazing. And if anything, it's amazing to see how friendships and the sharing of food bring us together.

melt in your mouth, not in your hands

It was the last of my culinary journeys while back home. I saved it for last because it's probably my most favorite and most missed restaurant. Tatsuki is a favorite among sushi-goers in the Valley. Located in Woodland Hills, it's the kind of "hole-in-the-wall" place, you'd easily just drive on past, but it's corner holds some of the best sushi nuggets in all of L.A. Not to mention, it's certainly beyond reasonable. Let your eyes feast.....


Snow Tuna, yum yum.

Yellowtail, simply divine.

Extra spicy tuna cut roll - the "appetizer", something I always order first at Tatsuki. In fact, I don't even need to ask for it, they just know what I want.....priceless.

The mother of all sushi rolls, the dragon roll! Tuna, eel, avocado, shrimp, carrot, pea shoots, smelt eggs, schrachi (I realize I am butchering the spelling) sauce, eel sauce and a sweet sauce, which I'm not quite sure what they call it. It doesn't matter, as long as it's in my mouth!

Tres Hermanos (Three Brothers)

I don't know if the owners are actually three brothers, but I do know one thing - Tres Hermanos is by far one of the best Mexican food joints in the S.F. valley. Highly regarded by all of my family members, this was one stop I had to make. One of Fort Wayne's greatest culinary disappointments is the lack of REAL Mexican food. I think what holds back authentic Mexican food in this area is the people who live here, and it's a shame because y'all are missing out! I've included pics of the two items Paul and I shared at Tres Hermanos, while we were in California - carnitas tacos and the pepita grilled shrimp salad. Is your mouth watering yet? One thing I can say for Fort Wayneians is that there is ONE place I know of that sells good tacos, real tacos, and that's at George's International Market on Broadway and Taylor. So step to it, people and go eat some tacos!

Hmmmm....Flaky French Toast and Tropical Pancakes

After arriving in Los Angeles, we headed our way to the San Fernando Valley. We were most definitely hungry. ALERT! Don't purchase a snack pack on Northwest Airlines, it's a complete waste of your $5. Back to breakfast, therein resides one of the best breakfast joints in Los Angeles, Jinky's. The original is located in Sherman Oaks and since it's opening they have opened two other joints, one in Santa Monica and one in West Hollywood. Always packed and consistently good, Jinky's is a sacred place. I already decided what I was going to order, prior to even landing in California, the Sierra Mountain breakfast. Flaky french toast (egg bread coated in crushed corn flakes), scrambled eggs and a ham steak. Paul ordered the same with their chicken apple sausage. I also included a photo of Dad's tropical pancakes with mandarin oranges, coconut and macadamia nuts. The photos speak for themselves. A moment of silence for some of the best damn breakfast.