Chin-ma-ya, Los Angeles (Little Tokyo)

Posted by on Jul 30, 2011 in Chinese, General, Los Angeles | 0 comments

Chin-ma-ya, Los Angeles (Little Tokyo)

Who would have thought that a meal normally associated with poor college students could have deep tasty roots in Chinese culture?

Welcome to Chin-ma-ya located in Little Tokyo in downtown LA. This place serves ramen how it should be served, in giant bowls topped with the most tasty of toppings.

I started, and well didn’t even Gino’s a bowl called a Tan Tan Men. This ramen bowl has a broth with a little heat to it topped with pork. Add some green onions, bambo chutes, and bean sprouts and it’s one hearty meal! Let me rephrase, several hearty meals! This meal is nothing like you find at the store in the pasta section, but, it’s a simple meal to put together at home.

All in all its rehashed my love for the underrated noodle and given my imagination more food to play with.m a definite win!

And for sides, we paired the ramen with a tasty pork goyoza, pork dumplings with vegetables.

Needless to say, I was eating this meal for a couple days. With all the fixins, the ramen bowl ran about $12. Slightly less,nor the half portion.

I love LA!

Chin-Ma-Ya of Tokyo on Urbanspoon

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District 13, Los Angeles

Posted by on Jul 30, 2011 in Bar Food, Dinner, feature, General, Los Angeles | 0 comments

District 13, Los Angeles

I love to eat, and I love anything that Americans would consider “exotic.”  And what better place to find exotic meats than District 13 located in the heard of Hollywood!

I find that the best restaurants keep it simple, and this is about as simple as you can get, sausages and beer.  And what a beer list it is!  But that is for another show.  Anyway, when you peruse the menu, the choice becomes clear, regular or exotic sausages.  I happened to choose a platter of exotic sausage: Wild Boar, Venison, and Smoked Buffalo with caramelized onions, mustard, and srirachafor dipping.  What a taste treat!  Venison has always been a little salty, but these were tastes that just melted in your mouth!  Not at all gamey, but mild and flavorful with the snap of a Nathan’s hot dog.  The caramelized onion and sriracha topper brought savory, salty, sweet, with a touch of heat all into one bite.  Pair this dish with a beer, and its very fling and satisfying!  All for under $30.

Check it out!

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District 13 on Urbanspoon

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Square One: Los Angeles, CA (Best breakfast in LA)

Posted by on Jul 27, 2011 in Breakfast, feature, Los Angeles | 0 comments

Square One: Los Angeles, CA (Best breakfast in LA)

Recently I hit this gem of a tiny restaurant in Hollywood with a friend of mine, and there has never been a moment where we didn’t have to wait at least 15 minutes to get a table.  The space is used efficiently by stacking as many 2 and 4 top tables in, as well as a common dining table, something which I have rarely seen.  Think of the bar at your local tavern folded in half, a place where you can mingle amonst your new foodie friends. But I digress… lets get to the food!

Salmon Benedict 

I started out with a favorite of mine, Eggs Benedict, but with a slight twist.  This order was for Salmon Benedict over a potato latka, similar to loose hash browns.  This was a nice twist on a classic recipe since the potatoes were not going to get soggy as soon as the yolk breaks its seal.  Eating salmon, egg, and latka in one bite made my mouth a very happy place.  The one thing I was a little disappointed on was that on its own, the smoked salmon was rather salty, which nullified any smokiness to the meat.

Chorizo

What can I say about this loose chorizo?  A little dry, but tasty none the less with a nice kick on the front end and lingering heat.

Bacon French Toast

If there is a reason why any place should hold the title of “Best Breakfast,” its because of this dish.  I really don’t know how to explain it.  This is not a main dish food, its a topper on the end of your meal.  The french toast is prepared with a bacon infused caramel syrup and served with bacon.  How much more decadent can you get?  The perfect ending to any breakfast!

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Square One Dining on Urbanspoon

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