This small cute bakery is a charming (& budget) haven in that posh but touristy area. They have $6 lunch set too~
Triple Choco Mousse is pretty good! Not too sweet, very smooth. Giant Macaron that taste like shortbread + brownie…
August 30, 2006
3
Pacific Dining Car (Downtown)
//// By Freda in 06: Downtown LA
Another Downtown adventure! We brunch at Pacific Dining Car, which is actually a historic steakhouse (started in 1921) that’s now in the midst of a lower income neighborhood. We didn’t get to sit at the train dining car section. The location, the 70-ish years old looking host, the luxurious classic interior and $$$ menu made it quite an experience~ (according to web there’s even shoeshine service O_o). They opened for 24 hours, and have shuttle to take you to Staple Center and Walk Disney Concert Hall (total downtown landmarks visiting ‘package’~).
Their famous traditional Egg Benedict ($16). The hollandaise sauce was incredibly rich and creamy, the Canadian bacon was thick but tasty. I was very stuffed for the rest of the day! Though I have to say I prefer the EB at Clementine where the hollandaise sauce was lighter and airy.
Their signature Country Breakfast ($16). The butter milk pancakes were fluffy, with real maple syrup with strong maple flavor. The sausage was very good~ oh what a hearty satisfying (and stomach stuffing) breakfast. The breakfast menu is full of tempting egg dishes. *q*
Tags: 24 Hours, American, Breakfast, Egg Benedict, Late Night, Pancake
August 29, 2006
3
Pete’s Cafe and Bar (Downtown)
//// By Freda in 06: Downtown LA
Breads are very good! Tortilla soup was so-so…
Pancetta wrapped Scallop, the toppings are these grilled onion and cabbage (?), very good! I had the Lamb Bolognese: pappardelle pasta, braised lamb, fresh tomatoes, garlic, this is very delicious! Meaty but not heavy, it’s incredible! It’s so flavored, I enjoyed every joyful bite. It is THE dish to come back for again and again!
Pete’s Cafe and Bar at the corner of 4th and Main, actually does feels like a downtown restaurant: open past midnight with a metropolitan looking crowd; surrounded by old building, casual sophisticated atmosphere and skyscrappers as background . There’s a $16 all American ‘macaroni & cheese’ on the menu. I love the art deco lamps, this place gave me the illusion that…LA does have a ‘downtown.’ (but outside one block away is still a bit sketchy and abandoned…^^;;). I want to try their acclaimed burger. Noteworthy: the waiter was very friendly, fast service!
August 28, 2006
3
Aroma Cafe (Overland)
//// By Freda in 11: West LA
I read about this family owned Bosnian place Aroma Cafe on Chowhound. Half of the space is a mini-market. Outside a group of old men were chilling at the patio. So relaxing~ (extreme contrast to the always chaotic 10 freeway junction just blocks ahead).
They called this ‘sandwich of the future’: Kajmak & Beef Prosciutto. I got the small size, turns out it’s almost finger food size! But it’s so creamy and tasty. I love the salty beef prosciutto. Since it’s so small I can always order it if I came back here for other dishes. Lukmira: cheese onion deep. It’s basically sour cream with onion, cucumber and olive. Very fresh & crisp~ The breads are all very good.
Kefir (Yogurt), I’m a little sour milk overdoes ^^;; The Baklava is quite big portion~ 😀
I can’t wait to go back to try their kebab and sarma.
August 27, 2006
2
Indo Cafe (West LA)
//// By Freda in 11: West LAThankfully I found online menu:
Nasi Kuning: rice cooked in light coconut milk and tumeric topped with fried chicken, rendang, perkedel, sliced omelette and bean chips. Everything on this dish has its own complicated spiced flavor, and half of them are crunchy and deep fried…so I felt that they started to cancel each other out after few bites. Overall tasty but nothing seems to stood out, nor the taste particular memorable…hmm… The dessert is Es Campur: toddy palm jack fruit seasoned fruit, jello topped with crushed ice with raspberry syrup and condensed milk. NICE!
This Indonesian restaurant is right across another Indo place Simpang Asia. I have to say I prefer Simpang as I had a better impression…despite the food were served on plastic plates. It was unfair comparison as I could only try one dish by myself here. I’d like to try their soup, fish, skewers…etc. with a bigger group of people!
Tags: Indonesian
