November 29, 2006 6

BLD (Beverly Blvd)

//// By Freda in 09: Weho

Can’t reisst, it’s my turn to try BLD. (see old entry)

Joan tried the Grilled Dry Aged Beef with Gruyere cheese Burger ($15). This is SO incredibly good! Very tender & juicy with dense flavor, perfectly (medium rare) cooked.

They still have breakfast during weekday lunch. I had the Egg Florentine ($9), it was made perfectly. Not overtly baked, delicious hollandaise sauce. The side potatoes are very tasty too.

The dinnerware are all slick minimal design, fitting the modern chic interior.

Tags: Breakfast, Burger

November 29, 2006 2

Mr. Baguette (Alhambra)

//// By Freda in 01: San Gabriel

I always get take out Vietnamese sandwich at Mr.Baguette (and get buy one get one free fresh baked baguette), this is actually the first time I sit in.

They seperate the vegetable and jalapeno in a plastic wrap, so the bread won’t get soggy.

Sausage Ham Sandwich ($ 2.55)

Saigon Bacon ($ 2.45). I found the pickled veggie a bit light for my taste (I’m used to this Banh Mi place in Arcadia where the pickled veggie taste stronger and they put lots of pate). But the baguette here are so crispy and airy, so good~
I wish there’s good and CHEAP Vietnamese sandwich joint at the westside~

8702 E. Valley Blvd. Rosemead, CA 91770

Tags: Sandwich, Vietnamese

November 28, 2006 9

Santouka (Torrance)

//// By Freda in 17: South Bay, Favorite Food Entries

I’ve been craving some good ramen, especially after watching a certain ramen western movie. I always relied on Daikokuya in Little Tokyo as it’s the closest for me (seems like words have spread and it’s getting insanely overcrowded and you have to tolerate table-hogging people who would order bento set there). But inspired by the Japanese queueing spirit, sometimes you just have to make the effort to drive far for some outstanding ramen. This ramen joint Santouka is located in the food court of Torrance’s Mitsuwa Market. I passed by it many times and always tempted by their display.

I got the regular Shio (Salt) Soup set, which comes with a Ikura bowl. The soup is so rich and deeply flavored with pork bone (? guess, it has several flavor). For the first time I want to empty the bowl. The noodle is not as chewy as I liked, but pretty good. It came with 2 slices of meat: one regular salted slice and another darken ham-like slice. Melt-in-your-mouth good~

I went back to try the Shoyu (Soy Sauce) Soup. It’s just as good but I prefer the Salt soup more. I got the natto (fermented soy bean) bowl side this time and I absolutely LOVE it! Not only I’ve found my favorite ramen in LA but I’m also officially a natto-convert. ^^;;;

Basically they have 3 soup: salt, soy sauce and miso. There’s also a ‘premium pork’ set that I haven’t tried (it comes with 6-7 slices of pork).

Rumor: the West LA Mitsuwa on Centinela is currently under remodeling now, and I heard that someone said that Tampopo is going to be replaced by a branch of Santouka! If it’s true, woohoo!!!

山頭火 Santouka (inside Mitsuwa Marketplace)
21515 S Western Ave. Torrance, CA 90501

Tags: Japanese, Noodle, Ramen

November 28, 2006 3

Usui (Little Tokyo)

//// By Freda in 06: Downtown LA

On a busy night at Little Tokyo lorded by young student and trendy crowd, we found refuged at this nice hole-in-the-wall Japanese place. Their bento sets all looked surprisingly delicate and rich. All priced around $8 – $10. It seems to be opened by a couple, the husband operate the sushi counter, the wife (very friend) served and take order from table. The Japanese old ladies at another table were eating hot pot (looks good~)

This set has grilled fish and tempura. Everything taste flavored and unique.

This set has tofu. It feels like home here, I love it.

Usui: 343 E 1ST St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tags: Japanese

November 27, 2006 3

Izayoi (Little Tokyo)

//// By Freda in 06: Downtown LA, Favorite Food Entries

Party season~ 7 of us went back to this sleek and modern izakaya Izayoi in Little Tokyo (see my old entry).

We tried their some of their more expensive dishes: Avacado Tuna Tartar and the Caviar Taro Tartar. But since ti’s shared by 7 people, I only had a tiny bite…can’t savor it much. ^^;;;

Grilled Eggplant and Steam Clam in Sake Broth, yum!

Ankimo (Montfish Liver) is so smooth and DELICIOUS~ Grilled Beef Tongue smell and taste so good!

Natto Sushi (lately I’ve been a convert of natto ^^;;) Here comes the horror: Squid Liver. My goodness it is NASTY~~ ^^;;; It is icy texture like a frozen fruit pop but with a weird bitter taste. Between the Monkfish liver and this, it’s like Heaven and Hell.

Green Tea Soba and Seaweed.

Fresh Oyster and a rather bland Grilled Chicken.

Grilled Fish (good!) and one of the many many many many Oyster shoot we got.

Dessert: Tempura icecream and the very yummy Black Sesame Pudding.