Spring Street Smoke House – DTLA

Posted by foodie on Nov 12, 2012 | 0 comments

I finally got one of my friends out to Spring Street Smokehouse earlier this week. Since I had been here once before, I had been bragging that SSS was the place for BBQ downtown. Located between Union Station and Chinatown, this BBQ joint is just off the main drag of Ceasar Chavez, lying between Union Station and Chinatown. Like alot of storefronts downtown, its a small space that is packed wall to wall with tables with a small walking path to deliver the savory smoked meats people crave.

When I think of good BBQ, I imagine meat smoked slow enough that it falls off the bone when you try to pick it up off the plate, or so tender that it can be cut with the back of a knife.

Taste of Italy | Downtown Los Angeles

Posted by foodie on Oct 22, 2012 | 0 comments

As the son of a Sicilian immigrant, I was excited to have a chance to go to the Taste of Italy event this year in downtown LA. Images of Italian flags, fare, and music flowed through my mind as I was getting ready to enter the Italian American Museum of LA. As I got to the entrance, the

line of people in a mix of casual, dressy, and the occasionally formal attire stretched before me. When I finally got up to the front of the line to pick up my tasting tickets, I knew that the slim ticket pack of six taste, (three premier tastes or “Q cards” and three regular tastes), and four drink cards would not be enough to satisfy my desires to the try the food of the many booths that lined the inside and outside of the museum.

Naya Sunset | Silverlake, Los Angeles, CA

Posted by foodie on Sep 27, 2012 | 0 comments

So far, moving into the Los Feliz area has definitely paid off.  There are great bars in the area, the people are friendly, and I didnt know how much more centralized I am than living in Burbank than when I found out that Naya Sunset is just a mile or so down the street.  So I finally got my butt in gear and got out to go try it.

When you first walk up, you notice the bright red building with copper colored doors stand out from the rest of the cityscape in Silverlake.

Naya graces the entrance of the restaurant

As you get closer, you not only can hear the music from the inside, but a person playing bongos to the beat to entice people to approach.  

La Dolce Vita | Beverly Hills, CA

Posted by foodie on Aug 21, 2012 | Comments Off

If you are not paying attention to where you are going, you could miss the small red awning that graces the entrance to this historic italian restaurant. For its famous clients such as Frank Sinatra, who had his own booth, to icons that witnessed history happen before their eyes, like Nancy Reagan, to the scores of loyal regulars who call this home, La Dolce Vita delivers traditional italian food in a nice comfortable atmosphere.

And even when I was paying attention, I still missed the awning. It sits on the corner of S Santa Monica Blvd and Wilshire. So I had to turn around for another go. Once I did walk in, I was promptly greeted by its highly regarded Matre D’ Ruben with a straight eye line to the bar. This place is not large by any stretch, but it is intimate, casual, and classy at the same time. And I still felt a little underdressed.

Jitlada Thai Restaurant | Los Angeles, CA

Posted by foodie on Aug 17, 2012 | 0 comments

When you are rocking with a group of 14, there is really not enough time to get in a proper review, so this will be a teaser until I can get get back and do this is proper Weekend Foodie fashion.

Jitlada is not just any Thai restaurant, it is THE Thai restaurant, demonstrated by the constantly packed house and many many regulars, and even had a couple star sightings. When we sat down at the table, we were greeted with bottles and bottle of some great beer. I love the time where I can enjoy great meals with a group of friends, and this was one of those times. Wave upon wave of food kept coming out, I didnt know where one meal ended and another began.. There was a great variety of flavors not only between dishes, but in every dish that we were served. And I dont think that any plate lasted more than 30 seconds on the table before it was empty let alone take the time to try to find out the name of anything we ate.