Bye-o, LA!

When I come back from the Bay Area, I'm usually saddened by the news of some local establishment's closing ("Wait, where'd the Morning Glory go?" "Davao Grill closed?!" "J.J. Video is no longer J.J. Video?! [well, it actually still is]). But there are certain constants down here that keep me in check and bring me home, over and over again.

This ten-day stretch in Los Angeles has been just what I've needed after this past semester. Spring '09 was filled with its ridiculous hurdles, absolute enjoyments, episodes of achievement, and bouts of distress. Regardless, they're all behind me, waving from the surface of battered driftwood. So Spring '09, as turbulent as you were, I'm pouring this 40 for you,

'cause great friends make things a-okay,
family (as symbolized by Abbey the Malti-Poo) is unconditional,
and some food is just too damn good not to be enjoyed.
This polite farewell is yours.

--
So folks, I'm on my way to Madison, Wisconsin for SEASSI! Convoluted Ponderings will be taking a nine-week vacation. The blog in its stead: Ponderings in America's Dairyland! [hahah.. yeah, I know..] See ya in August! ^_^

Korean BBQ

K-Town. Korean BBQ. Manna. Mike's lovely family.

I wouldn't include Manna in my food/restaurant rounds because of the price (although I'm starting to think $16.99 per person isn't that bad considering Coriya Hot Pot City in Richmond is $15.99). However, I do get to indulge here maybe once or twice a year.

Oh me, oh my!
Devouring.

Scoops, take 2

Yes, I had to go back to Scoops. For me, the best part is finding out what new ice creams were created for the day.

Brown bread atop black sesame in the back, two scoops of lemon wine (I think?) in the foreground
I enjoyed the black sesame ice cream. The brown bread is perennially good, but the Grape Nuts hurt my extraction sites. ( *_* )

Los Angeles, my Los Angeles VII

Fifth of the restaurant/food rounds: Zankou Chicken
This place isn't a must for me, but it's definitely good to get when the occasion arises. This is how Ms. Scheaffer, my 9th grade English teacher, described Zankou to me way back when:

"Zankou chicken is so moist, it can be pulled right off the bone. But the best part is the garlic butter that you dip every piece into. It's so garlic-y, it's great."

Oh, Ms. Scheaffer, you were great. While I don't think Zankou chickens are reliably moist, the garlic butter does make up for it. I'd consider this place a once-a-year treat.

Chicken, garlic butter, pita, meet my GI tract.
We went out for Tina's bon voyage brunch. Greasy, messy, yummy... not quite like my living dynamic with Tina, but it'll do.
Mike got me the crunchiest falafel I've ever had.
I'm such a messy eater, my crumbs ended up everywhere: on the table, in the garlic butter, on Toni's face. Gosh, do I love Toni. :)

Los Angeles, my Los Angeles VI

continuation of Fourth of the restaurant/food rounds: anything Filipino, Part 2.2

I certainly love breakfast on weekdays [insert: dedication to waking up early for a decent morning meal] and brunch on the weekends [insert: nothing spectacular, but food between the 10am and 12 pm hours]. Now, if we combined the latter with anything Filipino, we get: anything Filipino, Part 2.2: Filipino brunch at Kissette's house!

Mike, not so Filipino, but he did come by for brunch :)
Daing (dried fish) and ginataan from Arko Foods

Hot dogs and ham (why so dark?), scrambled eggs, bangus (super marinated dried milkfish)
Tomatoes with salted hard-boiled eggs and fried squid... Mom's avocado, too =D
Bangsilog = bangus + eggs + fried rice. YUM.
Mound o' mangoes.
Malti-Poo aside Border Terrier.
Malti-Poo aside Alpha Female
Cheese cupcake FTW! Super dense cupcake, not so sweet, cheese-y through and through!

Los Angeles, my Los Angeles V

continuation of Fourth of the restaurant/food rounds: anything Filipino, Part 2.1

The great part about eating Filipino food down here is getting to bask in it with my family. Hence, anything Filipino, Part 2.1: dinner from Arko Foods in Glendale.

Buko buko buko juice! Buko juice, more commonly known as coconut water, was a staple when I was growing up. Yeah, it's kinda packed with sugar, but some brands aren't as sweet as others. Our brand of choice has been Sarap, and a gigantic can is about $1.00 at most markets. [The coconut water sold at Berkeley's RSF is around $2.75, and you get less than half of the amount! Blargh!]
Sisig! This was my favorite to devour when I was in the Philippines last summer. These chunks of pork were a little bit big, but still oh-so-good.
Pancit Palabok. I have to say, I'm not a big enough fan of pancit to order it from a restaurant ::hides behind large wooden spoon:: BUT, I'd still eat it if it were around :).
Turon! Ack, how I love these. When I was in middle school, I'd eat as many of these tasty deep-fried delights as my stomach could hold; I was fortunate enough to have stayed at the Saniano residence everyday after school for three years. Yes, Jannice, your family kept me well fed.
[turon = springroll wrapper + plantain + jackfruit (optional) + sugary coating]

Los Angeles, my Los Angeles IV

Fourth of the food/restaurant rounds: anything Filipino, Part 1

I don't get to eat any Filipino food in the East Bay. Maybe I haven't been pointed in the right direction? Buh? Even still, David, Toni, Mike, and I went to Toppings in Daly City when Toni came up in May. I'm willing to make the drive out every so often, but not many people are interested in making the trek out there with me [D=]. Plus, Filipino food is super cheap in Los Angeles!

Anything Filipino, Part 1: Manila Good Ha! on Vermont

Corned beef with potatoes with ginataan to the far right
Dad's Bicol Express and dinuguan
Puto! This wasn't from Good Ha!; it came from a Filipino market on Sunset, close to where the weekend farmers market usually is.

Los Angeles, my Los Angeles III

Third of the restaurant/food rounds: Fried tilapia from Temple Seafood Market

Honestly, nowhere else can beat Temple Seafood Mart's fried tilapia. 99 Ranch could only go so far... plus, I've never had a fish that was poorly fried or one that tasted a little old from this place. AND, my mom makes the best dip in the world- a simple garlic-vinegar-fish sauce concoction, which I've cited before. On my list of favorite foods/meals, this ranks as #1. No kidding.

*warning: photos with unappealing lighting*

Fried tilapia, fried catfish (!!!). Yes, they "Fry Free!"
Now, the best- and most comforting- way to eat this:
1. Wash your hands and prep for the dive
2. Take a piece of fish and dip in the sawsawan
3. With your fingers, clump some rice (for me, I usually do a little less than gumball-size) with the fish and pack together with your fingers. Proceed to push in your mouth with a well-coordinated thumb extension. =D

Denny's

Apparently, Denny's has a Pick-and-Choose Grand Slam option these days. Now, I usually can't make up my mind whenever I'm ordering anything. This either results in coordinated ordering amongst my friends* ("What are you getting?" "The flan." "Oh! I'll get the pie then.") or my indecisive self ordering multiple things ("I'll have the french toast... and... lobster!")

*The odd thing is, even if my friends and I weren't sharing our plates, I'd still feel good knowing there were variety on the table. :P So this Pick-and-Choose thing is pretty convenient. [And yup, samplers are a go, too!]

Thanks, Denny's.
[oatmeal, turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, and fwoot]

Los Angeles, my Los Angeles II

Second restaurant/food round: Scoops behind LACC

Who doesn't love this experimental creamery?
Marcus, Michael, Elliot and I stopped by this afternoon for a cold treat. I had pandan (top) and vegan banana-Oreo (bottom) ice creams...
only $2.75!

Elysee in Westwood

In addition to Mediterranean food, I love Fayzan! We went to Elysee this morning... something like an edible adieu 'til January '10 :( By the by, Westwood parking meters are painful (5 minutes/quarter... huh!?).

We shared a plate of french toast, which came with some fried (maybe roasted?) potatoes. The french toast was more buttery than eggy, so every bite left my mouth a little greasy/glossy. Nom!
Caprese omelette with wheat toast and potatoes.
Sweeter goodies a la Fayzan.
Chocolate chip shortbread cookie pictured above.
Mango mousse. Extra nom.

The Pita Pit in Riverside

[okay, not part of my LA food rounds, but thought I'd share]
Boy, do I love me my Mediterranean food..

Mike's gyro. I wasn't too fond of the slices of lamb, but the feta was good.
My falafel-sprouts-hummus-onion-lettuce pita. It was sorta dry, possibly because I didn't add any sauce or dressing. Falafel = okay, but not Makes Me Wanna Eat a Crap Ton! status

Los Angeles, my Los Angeles

I love being back in LA because of 1) the family, 2) the friends, and 3) the food! When it comes to the family, I have my comforting at-home moments. For the friends, I have to run around SoCal [oh so worth it]. And for my gastral enjoyments, I usually make my restaurant rounds in order to fill up on all the foods I can't get (cheaply or at all) in the Bay Area.

First of the rounds: CBS in Chinatown

Dim sum for the nostalgic on all levels

My aaabsolute favorite ^_^

Teehee

As I was rummaging through the things I brought down from Berkeley to LA, I found these in my box of toiletries:

They're from Hanoi =D

And even though

moving out and driving back to LA were a little tiring, I was far more bothered by the news of Dr. George Tiller's murder ='(
Thoughts, condolences, strength..

Fiber > No Fiber

Well, I stubbornly consumed solid foods during the healing process. Heck, I'm still in the healing process... but that's okay. Anything for Mediterranean food, which is probably my second favorite kind of food.
First favorite? Probably Filipino, specifically for its comforting qualities. I could, however, eat Med food endlessly. Endlessly, I say!

My last meal in Berkeley 'til January!
From La Mediterranee on College. This is their lox levant with a cup of mamounia (amazing.. nearly beats out oatmeal for me). The coffee was supoib, as well. :)