Huckleberry

I don't know if business is ever slow at Huckleberry. Maybe I will try eating lunch there at 11am sometime and let you know if it's easy breezy. But, even if there's a long line to order, rest assured that your patience will be rewarded once the food arrives.

Yes, I ordered the brisket plate ($12.25) on a warm summer day and it was delicious: tender, flavorful and unfussy. I wasn't expecting such a generous portion! Bread and an arugula salad were also included. I have never paid much attention to brisket before, but this dish felt like a proper introduction. In fact, I want to try cooking it at home once the weather cools down a bit.



For dessert, raspberry and fig galette ($4.50) that was just sweet enough. One could make a meal out of just their pastries and desserts. So many to choose from. Make sure to save room!



Huckleberry
1014 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-2311

Kiriko

I needed a break from the usual. So, a weekday splurge at Kiriko.


Chirashi Lunch ($18), which included salad and miso soup.



Their tamago (egg) was unlike any other version I've tried, almost like sweet bread. This lunch brightened my day and gave me a spring in my step.

Kiriko
11301 Olympic Blvd #102
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 478-7769

Cafe Du Monde

My last day in New Orleans had to include a stop at Cafe Du Monde, the famous coffee shop established in 1862, known especially for its beignets, which are described on their site as "square French-style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar."



So, even though it was mind-numbingly hot, I sat outside on their (covered) patio and ordered beignets and a cafe au lait; yes, I was sweating a lot, but had to drink hot coffee because I wanted the total experience.



So airy and perfectly sweet. These beauties made time stop for me.


Moments of true happiness may be fleeting, but they can be recreated easily at Cafe Du Monde. Although beignets are available elsewhere in the country, I have never been interested because I wanted to try them in New Orleans. As it turns out, I made the right decision.

Cafe Du Monde
French Market
800 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Ph: 504-525-4544

NOLA

New Orleans is like no other city. I could give you a long list of adjectives to describe its spirit, but you won't get it until you go. I visited for the first time recently and loved spending the weekend taking in the city with friends (old and new), eating well and laughing a lot. I hope you will make a serious effort to visit New Orleans, it's worth it.



Now, onto NOLA, Emeril Lagasse's restaurant in the French Quarter where we had a ladylike lunch.


Pimm's Cup, we finally meet. And fall in love. Why have I let so many summers go by without knowing the joy of this drink? I used to say I wasn't a fan of gin, but then a cocktail comes along and changes everything.


I chose the crispy duck liver as my starter; it was served with greens, caramelized onions and Creole mustard aioli. The dish did not lack in flavor: it was, in fact, a tad too salty. However, New Orleans cuisine does not do subtle, so that's that.


We also shared Miss Hay's stuffed chicken wings with homemade Hoisin dipping sauce, which had a surprising Asian-inspired filling of cabbage, cellophane noodles, and a whole mess of other stuff (look at this recipe; there is seriously a lot going on). I loved the fried exterior of the wings, but the stuffing was just confusing.


My entree was "shrimp and grits," which was one flavor notch too intense. Between shrimp, bacon, cheddar grits and red chili-Abita butter sauce (Abita is a local brewery), that plate of food was overwhelming. Sometimes, bacon is not needed. It hurt me to say that, but it's the truth.

NOLA's food wasn't perfect, but the overall experience was excellent because of the stellar service and honestly, we were on vacation in New Orleans. I would happily eat at NOLA again the next time I'm in town.

NOLA
534 St. Louis Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-558-3947

Dean Sin World

I work at a snail's pace when it comes to trying new-to-me restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley of Deliciousness. Let's not get into all the reasons, but instead rejoice in the fact that I recently stopped in at Dean Sin World for the very first time!

The ladies who work there were very friendly and despite the fact that I don't speak Chinese, I made it through the meal without too much trouble.

The best thing I ate here: leek (or as the menu delightfully notes, "leak") pork dumplings ($4.25).


When the plate arrived at the table, I was a little bummed because I had meant to order something more potsticker-like (I apologize to my fellow bloggers who have written about Dean Sin World and know the exact names of the must order stuff, but I wasn't able to research beforehand that day). Then, I bit into one and it was a done deal. Their dumplings are juicy, full of flavor and disappear at an astounding rate. I polished off the plate easily.


Smoked fish ($5.50): cold with a lot of bones. I don't mind eating fish this way (Koreans prepare most of their fish on the bone, so it's what I grew up eating), but these pieces required a good amount of work! Just wasn't what I was expecting.


Pancake with green onion ($2.75): I have a thing for savory "pancakes," as they are called on English menus at Asian restaurants. This dish was fine, but lacked a bit in flavor for me.

Dean Sin World is a teeny tiny shop that holds the key to dumpling happiness. On my next visit, though, I will go prepared with a list of their best dishes. Or I could just see how many leek pork dumplings I can consume.

Dean Sin World
306 N Garfield Ave, #2
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Ph:(626) 571-063

Wildwood Ovens & BBQ’s

I was recently invited to a free hosted event at Wildwood Ovens & BBQ’s, a laid back spot in Eagle Rock where you can do a lot of things: buy a wood fired oven or Brazilian barbeque grill, take a cooking class or throw a party for you and yours to enjoy pizza or churrasco (grilled meat). We got to sample more than a few items from the owner, Michael Gerard, and his team.


Roast pork. There was some beautiful fat, which is the best way to enjoy pork in my opinion.


Asparagus is magical when prepared properly. I could have eaten the whole plate.


Mushroom pizza straight from the (heat) source. Life would be better if every time I reached for frozen pizza, a pie from their wood fired oven would appear instead.

I can easily imagine spending a summer afternoon on the their patio with friends, consuming a lot of pizza dough, grilled meat and cold beverages. I really dug the very Californian vibe at Wildwood and think it'd be a great spot for a party, especially for those who want good grub.

Wildwood Ovens & BBQ's
5020 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
323-255-6578

Wako Donkasu

Koreans love donkatsu (Japanese fried pork cutlet), and I am no exception. Most of the donkatsu I've eaten has been prepared by my mom and enjoyed in my parents' kitchen with rice, shredded cabbage and kimchi. But, out here in LA, I must fend for myself (yes, I can make it, but I loathe frying food in my apartment as the smell insists on lingering).

Enter Wako Donkasu, a tucked away spot in Koreatown, where the main attraction is their pork cutlet, but with various riffs offered as well, such as steak, curry and even cheese. I find it difficult to resist combination sets at Asian restaurants, so I ordered the udon and pork katsu duo ($12.95).



The pork was juicy, but the breading wasn't as crisp as I had hoped and even falling off a little on the bottom of a couple pieces. The dipping sauce was tonkatsu sauce and ground sesame seeds. (Note: after you order, the server brings sesame seeds for you to grind up with a mortar and pestle of sorts. I wasn't sure what to do really, so I asked my server about it when she dropped off my food and she did it for me.)

The dressing on the cabbage was like the slightly sweeter version of the carrot and ginger version found in Japanese restaurants here in the U.S. I liked that it was a departure from the blob of ketchup and mayo found in so many Korean restaurants.



The udon broth was flavorful enough, but it lacked the special touch that makes addicts out of people who just came here for the katsu in the first place (I love when restaurants have that supporting cast dish or side that unexpectedly becomes habit-forming); the noodles were standard and did not stand out.

Wako Donkasu did not take the pork cutlet to new heights for me, but my meal was more than satisfactory. I'm willing to see if everything is a little better next time around.

Wako Donkasu
3377 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 381-9256

*Other location:
2904 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 387-9256