Wednesday, January 23, 2013

L'Epicerie Market

L'Epicerie Nutella crepe

A Nutella and banana crepe with good coffee makes for an excellent breakfast. L'Epicerie Market also offers savory crepes, but I generally gravitate towards sweet varieties. I enjoy little breaks like these to think about things big and small. As you may have guessed, many of these moments involve food.

L'Epicerie Market
9900 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 815-1600

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Pa Ord Noodle

Chamomile tea with honey. Hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows. Pancakes with butter and warm syrup. All things I associate with soothing the soul and creating calm within.

This is not that.

Pa Ord Crispy Pork

No, the Chinese broccoli with crispy pork at Pa Ord Noodle is not going to lull you into a relaxed state. It's more like the chorus of Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" on the highest volume setting. And I got the medium spicy. 

After I finished my meal, which included a small sized portion of tom yum noodle soup (excellent and also medium spicy), I was relieved to have made it through all the spice. Of course, as I look at the photo, its siren call beckons. I get the fanfare now.

Pa Ord Noodle
5301 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 461-3945

Friday, January 4, 2013

Olympic Noodle


Olympic Noodle

My preferred version of chicken noodle soup can be found not in the pantry, but in Koreatown. Now, don't get me wrong. What I consider to be the traditional American standard (without getting into what American means, let's just use the definition of "if I order it in a diner, I am expecting a bowl of this stuff") can be beautiful and lovely when made at home. But, when I'm weary or recovering from illness, I do not think about making mirepoix. [Sidenote: due to Food Network, I think of Emeril Lagasse when I hear or see "mirepoix." I don't know how many, if any, of his episodes do not include mirepoix.] 

Instead, I usually do one of two things: purchase below average soup from the grocery store or pine for Korean food (more times than not, the second one is almost always the case). So, recently, when in need of a restorative meal, I headed to Olympic Noodle. The chicken noodle soup was $8, a respectable bargain, but the best part was the immediate sense of contentment that followed. Happy New Year! 

Olympic Noodle
4008 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 931-0007